Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits their medical room is still to clear.

A number of absentees in midfield has affected United's rhythm at times this term but at least Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are closer to a return in defence.

However, the news on Michael Owen is less positive as he remains sidelined after picking up a thigh problem during the Champions League tie with Otelul Galati at the start of November.

"Of course it's been a difficult period for us," accepted the boss. "Losing Darren [Fletcher], in particular, and the promise of Tom Cleverley was a big blow to us. We haven't had that type of midfield player [like Tom] for years and years so it was a loss and then Anderson being out was a loss.

"I think what we're hoping is we don't get many more injuries. If we keep getting injuries, it's going to be very difficult for us. We should get Smalling back training on Monday and Evans' calf injury is maybe a week away. Those two should come back quickly."

"I think the plan is for Cleverley to start running two weeks on Monday and join us maybe the following week so he's maybe a month away.

"When Michael [Owen] gets injured, it's always a bad one and this is a bad one. It's probably the middle of February for him and it may be a good time to come back as he has the ability to score goals out of nothing and that's always valuable.

"Hopefully that's Anderson back now and he's looking well in terms of the physical part. He's had good treatment and is hopefully back for good.

"Young may be a month away, four weeks easily. His bleeding never came out quickly in his injury after the Fulham game.

"There's nothing we can do until the bleeding is all out and it's been unfortunate for him. I don't think it's a serious injury but we can't pre-judge it until we know all the facts about it."