Ferguson happy to turn to back-up options

Alex Ferguson would be happy to place his faith in Manchester United’s back-up wide-men for Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Wolves.

As Nani and Darren Fletcher joined a growing injury list during last night’s 3-0 win over Bursaspor, Gabriel Obertan and Bebe both scored timely goals.

Obertan was scoring his first United goal in only his second start of the campaign, whilst Bebe followed up his effort against Wolves in the Carling Cup last week by tucking home Paul Scholes’ clever pass.

“Gabriel has been derailed quite a bit by injury,” Ferguson said.

“It has been a problem for the lad. He had two or three last season and then picked up another in Texas this pre-season that kept him out for five or six weeks.

“But he is back now and as he showed tonight, he has fantastic talent.”

As for Bebe, signed from Vitoria Guimaraes in the summer even though he had never played a competitive game for the club and Ferguson had not seen him in action, the Scot is convinced there is untapped potential to be fulfilled.

“He is a good, young player who still has a lot to learn,” he said.

“He still needs a lot of coaching but the raw talent is there. He is brave and quick, and for such a young player he is a good decision maker.

“The chances of him being able to realise his potential are very good.”

As Fletcher had already put United in front early in the second half, those late efforts sealed an impressive win that leaves the Red Devils requiring a single point from their trip to Rangers in a fortnight to secure a place in the last 16.

“You need experience away from home in Europe,” outlined Ferguson.

“That is why I went with the composure of Paul Scholes, who is one of the best players in Europe.

“We also had the experience of Dimitar Berbatov, which helped quieten the crowd.”

The injuries for Nani and Fletcher did take some of the gloss off victory celebrations, although the real problem will come if the pair are not fit in time to face Manchester City at Eastlands next Wednesday.

“It is disappointing but these things happen in football,” said Ferguson.

“We may have Darron Gibson back after a bout of flu but Anderson has had a virus as well and I don’t think he will be ready.”