Manchester United's Defensive Duo: Who Will Face Inter? Who Can You Find?

Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans: between them they have appeared in all 44 of Manchester United’s fixtures this season. Such is their importance to the team, Fergie has utilised two of the three in all but four matches this campaign—and only one in the league.

In these four games, United shipped six goals but did win all four. If you count being on the subs bench, those four games are actually two (conceded three).

It goes without saying that a trip to the San Siro without at least two of the three is the last thing Ferguson had planned, faced with Inter Milan in the knockout phase of the Champions League.

However, with Nemanja Vidic suspended following his red card in the Club World Cup final and Jonny Evans seemingly out of the tie with a recurrence of an old ankle injury, that is the exact situation Ferguson finds himself in. Rio Ferdinand is United’s only recognised central defender.

So how did United cope before? In the 3–1 victory at home to Middlesbrough, United put out a back four of O’Shea, Brown, Rafael, and Vidic; in the 3–0 away win at Aalborg it was O’Shea, Vidic, Evra, and Rafael; in the 5–3 win at home to Blackburn it was Neville, Rafael, O’Shea, and Evans; and in the 4–2 win at home to Derby the back four was Neville, Rafael, O’Shea, and Evans.

Normally, Fergie dips into his reserve of talent which contains the likes of Gary Neville, John O’Shea and Wes Brown. The only problem is they’re all injured themselves.

Ferguson said “I just hope we can get two centre-backs out for Tuesday because at this moment it’s very doubtful. Jon Evans is unlikely to be playing because when you look at him he’s very, very doubtful. I just hope we get John O’Shea available because we don’t have Vidic, we don’t have Gary Neville and we don’t have Wes Brown. We’re having a nightmare with defenders this season in terms of injuries and suspensions”.

Even James Chester has been loaned out so is unavailable for the clash. The youngster has made just 1 substitute appearance in the League Cup for the senior team so the occasion is probably too big for him anyway. Ferguson was tempted to play him in a Premier League match recently so we’ll never know for sure.

Ferguson is unable to play a back four which has played together once this season. United’s defensive woes are at their absolute worst and the worst possible time. I wonder if he’d rethink his comments recently:“We can cope with injuries now.” Really?

Who is available?

Certainties in the team (touch wood) will be Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand, while Rafael will almost certainly play despite fears his inexperience would show in such a big game.

Richard Eckersley and Fabio da Silva are United’s only other recognised defenders in the Champions League squad and both play at left back. Between them they have accumulated just three cup appearances, and all from the bench. It is possible to utilise either of these and shift Evra into the centre but at just 5’8 that could pose a real weakness in United’s defence; both through the middle and down the left.

John O’Shea will undergo intensive treatment in order to decide on his fitness to play despite an ankle injury. If O’Shea is cleared to play, United might just get of jail but if he doesn’t, there’s no way Ferguson is going to rely on such inexperienced players in such an important game.

It is being speculated that Ferguson might play either Michael Carrick or Darren Fletcher in the central defensive role. Fletcher of course has filled in at right back a couple of times before and he can tackle but he is a slender chap and might not be able to cope with the physical threat of Inter.

Michael Carrick has been impressive this season in the defensive midfielder role; his tackling and defensive awareness in particular have been very good. He is 6’1 and although he isn’t the biggest guy, he’s definitely bigger than Fletcher.

If O’Shea doesn’t make it (I’m an optimist so I’m expecting him to), United’s best chance of keeping Inter at bay will be a back four of Ferdinand, Evra, Rafael and Carrick with Carrick partnering Rio in the middle. Whatever Ferguson goes for, it’s going to be a hard night in Milan tomorrow and I’m less confident than I was about my 0–0 prediction.

On second thoughts, Rooney’s back to fitness. I bet he’d do a great job—problem solved.

Originally published at Blog United.