Defensive problems mounting for Utd

Alex Ferguson must once again contend with massive defensive problems ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League encounter with rock bottom Blackburn.

Jonny Evans (calf) has joined Nemanja Vidic (knee), Chris Smalling (tonsillitis) and Fabio (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Phil Jones (illness) and Rio Ferdinand (back) only have an outside chance of being involved, which might mean Michael Carrick partnering Patrice Evra in central defence, with Antonio Valencia at right-back.

Provisional squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evra, Jones, Fryers, Cole, Carrick, Valencia, Park, Gibson, Nani, Giggs, Macheda, Rooney, Welbeck, Berbatov, Hernandez, Diouf.