Sir Alex Ferguson has described Rio Ferdinand as "nowhere near" returning to full training despite some encouraging steps in his rehabilitation from recurrent back trouble. United's medical staff believe Ferdinand could miss another three weeks because of the problem that badly affected his form earlier in the season and has meant him being unavailable since a particularly difficult afternoon against Fernando Torres when Ferguson's men lost 2-0 at Liverpool on 25 October.
Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown are United's only fit centre-halves and Ferguson reported that John O'Shea will miss another two months because of a thigh injury. Jonny Evans, who has been troubled by a calf problem, is expected to be available again in 10 days, and is currently taking part in a running programme with Ferdinand without being able to take part fully in training.
"Rio has done well in the last few days," Ferguson said. "Jonny has done more, of course, because he has been doing it for longer. He has been involved in the football side for a few days now, but Rio is nowhere near that. The thing is there has been no recurrence of the back problem, which is good news. I think that is the moment we have been waiting for. He has his programme in the gymnasium and at the moment it is looking healthy."
O'Shea has not played since the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on 8 November. "There is no sign at all of recovery from him," Ferguson added. "The one who is long term is John O'Shea. It is his first injury at the club and it is a big loss to us because he is such a versatile performer. All we can say to him is to get back, but it will be a couple of months yet. He had a thigh injury but the blood congealed and you have to be careful of calcification. That is the reason for the delay."
The 5-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic on Wednesday lifted United to within two points of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League. "We're where I'd hoped we'd be at this stage of the season but you have to respect the fact that Chelsea have won games also," Ferguson said. "The second half of the season doesn't hold any fears for us because we have the squad and we will have players available again and I will have the defenders back. Everyone should be back for when the Champions League gets underway again and I have confidence we can handle what is coming at us in the next few months.
"Gary Neville was on the bench [against Wigan] and I may involve him on Sunday [against Leeds United in the FA Cup third round]. Paul Scholes will also be available and we should have a strong squad. Daniel Welbeck came on [against Wigan] and did very well. Rafael [da Silva] was outstanding; he showed fantastic energy and desire to win the game."
However, Federico Macheda is injured and will not be available for Sunday or, more pertinently, the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester City next Wednesday. His absence means Ferguson will almost certainly play Michael Owen in an otherwise experimental side.Ends
