Rafael The Only Blip for United Ahead of Chelsea
Brazilian Rafael could be Manchester United's only doubt for the Champions League quarter-final, second leg clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old suffered a knee injury in last week's first leg at Stamford Bridge, won 1-0 by United, ruling him out of Saturday's Premier League win over Fulham.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Rafael had only suffered bruising rather than ligament damage, a fact confirmed by his presence on a side pitch at United's Carrington training complex Monday morning.
Both John O'Shea and Wes Brown are available to play at right-back and the fact Rafael was restricted to running rather than ball work with the rest of the group suggests he could be left out of the side.
With the exception of Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher, who has been laid low by a virus, the remainder of Ferguson's first-team squad were training.
That included Rio Ferdinand, who also missed Saturday's game after returning from a calf injury at Stamford Bridge, and Wayne Rooney who was suspended.
However, Rooney is available Tuesday as United look to protect the one goal lead given to them by the England international last week and book a semi-final place almost certainly against German challengers Schalke.
Source: Agence France Presse
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