Welbeck gives Fergie options

SIR Alex Ferguson is considering giving striker Danny Welbeck a first start since suffering a muscle injury on England duty last month in Wednesday’s crucial Champions League clash away to Basle.

Ferguson has to fill the void left by the torn ankle ligaments sustained by six–goal Javier Hernandez during the 1–0 win at Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League.

Hernandez had to be carried off after appearing to twist his ankle in the Villa Park pitch, and Ferguson is resigned to being without his services for up to a month.

Welbeck, who has scored five times for United this season, impressed on his comeback as a substitute in the final 15 minutes after Phil Jones’ first ever senior goal settled the issue.

And with Dimitar Berbatov (ankle) not ruled out by Ferguson, the United boss believes he has options for the game in Switzerland – from which United need a point to guarantee qualification.

United have regrouped in impressive style since the 6–1 home mauling by Manchester City and achieved their fourth single–goal win in the last five games against Alex McLeish’s side.

Their fifth away success of the campaign also equalled the entire number of league wins they achieved throughout the 2010–2011 season.

Jones was used in central midfield and may be employed there again in Basle when Michael Carrick is suspended.



MANCHESTER United defender Rio Ferdinand is excited by the FA Cup draw which has paired the Barclays Premier League champions with neighbours and holders Manchester City.

The teams will meet in the third round on the weekend of January 7–8 in what was the highlight of the draw.

United and City met in last season’s FA Cup semi-finals, with the Blues emerging 1-0 winners after an epic struggle at Wembley. City went on to lift the trophy after a 1-0 triumph over Stoke.

Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: “3rd round FA cup game vs mancity. . . great game to kick off this yrs FA cup, can’t wait.”