Manchester United injury update | Chris Smalling still out for Manchester City

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson held his weekly press conference today and during it, he revealed that there isn't much change on the injury front. The good part of this is that no new injuries were picked up during Wednesday's defeat at Newcastle United. The bad part of this is that the likes of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Fabio, Michael Owen, Tom Cleverley, and other players who may been anticipated to be returning soon are not ready to yet. Here the main highlights of Fergie's quotes in regards to his side's injury situation:

"We don’t have any changes. Fortunately we had no injuries on Wednesday so we’ll have the same squad for Sunday. There's no progress really to report. Chris Smalling is the one I’d love to get back but he’s got a really bad bout of tonsillitis. We expect to have him training by Monday. Jonny Evans has still got his calf injury. But there are enough experienced players in the squad to cope with a really difficult tie on Sunday."

Source: ManUtd.com

Once again, that leaves United a bit light in terms of their selection options in defense and midfield for their upcoming FA Cup tie against Manchester City. In defense, that leaves only Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones, Patrice Evra, and Rafael as natural defenders -- although winger Antonio Valencia is an option to fill-in at right-back as is midfield Michael Carrick at center-back. Ferdinand is a constant fitness concern so there questions whether he is able to play and second match in a five-day span after featuring against Newcastle.