Tevez is the Only Senior Striker Available

Sir Alex Ferguson is counting on Alex Ferguson recovering quickly from the exhaustion, jet-lag and shock he will have suffered after playing in Argentina's 6-1 defeat in Bolivia on Wednesday.

With Wayne Rooney suspended and Dimitar Berbatov ruled out by injury, Tevez is the only senior striker available to Ferguson as he prepares for Sunday's pivotal Premier League clash with Aston Villa. United go into the match facing the possibility of losing a third consecutive Premiership game for the first time since December 2001.

To further complicate Ferguson's preparations, Tevez was only due to arrive back in Manchester on Friday evening having played an exhausting 90 minutes at high altitude. Should the Argentinian show any ill effects from his gruelling match and journey, Ferguson admits he would have a major headache.



"First of all, we are waiting on Tevez coming back from Mars, I think he was playing," said Ferguson. "What a journey he has had! The extra day's rest, playing Sunday, helps in that respect but we are unsure of our strikers, that is the biggest worry we have because of Berbatov's injury and Rooney's suspension. Hopefully, if Tevez is okay, that gives us one striker and then we have to choose someone else."

Ferguson's decision to delay the Villa game 24 hours has proved a fortunate one, especially given the fact that midfielder Anderson suffered a knee injury while on international duty with Brazil. The timing of the game, on Sunday afternoon, now means United must face Porto in the UEFA Champions' League quarter-final on Tuesday with just 48 hours rest but, at this point, the gamble appears justified.