Rooney set to face Chelsea

Simon Stone

The Red Devils are still reeling from the condemnation of their own fans following the goalless draw with non-league Exeter at Old Trafford on Saturday which Ferguson said was the worst FA Cup showing in his 18 years at the club.

Ferguson has now learned that a home tie against his old assistant Steve McClaren’s club Middlesbrough awaits in the third round should United scramble past the Grecians in their January 19 replay.

That is sure to be another tough assignment considering Boro have lost just once in their last four visits to Old Trafford and also knocked United out of the competition at the same stage three seasons ago.

Before he can even start thinking about that encounter though, Ferguson must plot his way through a daunting fixture list which sees his side follow up their Stamford Bridge trip with a vital Premiership clash with old foes Liverpool at Anfield.

Then it is the unwanted and unexpected journey to St James Park for the Exeter rematch before a home encounter with Aston Villa.

If Saturday’s debacle did not quite throw Ferguson’s plans into turmoil, the Scot knows he must have a long, hard think about his team selection for tomorrow’s game. While Louis Saha, John O’Shea and Quinton Fortune might be available after recent injury, Ferguson knows he cannot afford to risk another humiliation leaving him to contemplate the immediate return of Rooney from his three-match ban.

How many more of his senior stars Ferguson is compelled to play against Chelsea depends on how many of the previously injured trio are declared fit.

Should Ferguson’s belief that all three will make it prove to be correct, the United line-up would instantly be far stronger than the one which drew an embarrassing blank at the weekend. The Red Devils’ chief has been attacked for fielding a side containing so little experience, even though 20-year-old debutant David Jones was the home man of the match. As he tried to rest the numerous niggles generated by a packed festive programme, Ferguson defended his selection: “I was hamstrung with the number of injuries to the first team squad.”

Fiercely loyal to his squad, Ferguson’s patience must have been tested by the ineffective displays of Eric Djemba-Djemba, Liam Miller and David Bellion in particular and their futures now appear to be in jeopardy.