Manchester United injury update: Fulham edition

After a few months with a significant amount of injuries, Manchester United are beginning to heal up just before the final run-in. At his weekly pre-match press conference, manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave a brief update on the injury status of his players: 

"Rafael won't be available for tomorrow but he should be okay for Tuesday. We sent him for a scan and there's no bruising or ligament damage to his knee. He should be okay for Tuesday. Wes Brown and John O'Shea are fit. Anderson played for the reserves last night and is available for tomorrow. Darren Fletcher has put a bit of weight back on which is good. He's progressing not too badly now."

Source: ManUtd.com

A summary of United's injuries and suspension after the jump... 

* Owen Hargreaves: Unavailable due to a shoulder injury.

* Anders Lindegaard: Unavailable due to a knee injury

* Rafael: As mentioned in the quote, Rafael is unavailable for Fulham due to a knee injury suffered versus Chelsea this past Wednesday in a Champions League tie. However, he appears to be available on Tuesday for the return leg versus the London side.

* Darren Fletcher: The midfielder has been battling a serious virus for about a month now. In that quote, Fergie said the Scot is progressing but he's likely unavailable for tomorrow's match.

* Wayne Rooney: Fulham will be the first of his two-match ban for saying naughty things into the television camera at Upton Park last weekend. 

* Jonny Evans: The defender continues to serve his suspension for his sending off versus Bolton Wanderers.

* John O'Shea: Fergie said he's "fit" for Fulham. Fit enough to start?

* Wes Brown: see comments for O'Shea, same summary applies.

* Anderson: The Brazilian midfielder returned to play in a reserves match during the mid-week versus Manchester City's reserves. Ando was introduced at the interval and he proceeded to bag a brace in the reserves 3-1 victory. Fitness appears to be his only obstacle now. 

* Edwin van der Sar: The goalkeeper has been suffering from a lingering groin injury, one that presumably forced to miss the match versus West Ham United last weekend. However, the Dutchman returned versus Chelsea to earn a cleansheet. At the end of the match, defender Nemanja Vidic was forced to take goalkicks as it appeared that van der Sar tweaked his groin again. Don't be surprised to see him rested versus Fulham for precautionary reasons.