United secured a place in the final at Wembley with a 4-2 victory against the Championship side at Old Trafford, 4-3 on aggregate.

But Rafael da Silva tore a hamstring that will see him sidelined for a month, while Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs also failed to complete 90 minutes.

Anderson was sent for an X-ray on a suspected broken left ankle that saw him stretchered off late on, while Jonny Evans limped through the final stages in pain after appearing to sprain his ankle.

Ferguson said: “There are probably six or seven of them who have picked up injuries. It was a bad night in that respect.

“We finished with 10 men but it was effectively nine because Jonny was in great discomfort. We will just have to see what happens now.

“The serious one is Anderson. Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Nani all picked up injuries.

“Jonny Evans has got a recurrence of the ankle injury that has bothered him for a few weeks now, but hopefully he’ll be OK in a week’s time, and Rafael has a hamstring injury and will be out for a few weeks.”

Rio Ferdinand (back), Wes Brown (ankle) and Patrice Evra (foot) are already out injured, leaving United desperately depleted – Nemanja Vidic and John O’Shea are their only recognised fully fit defenders.

Darren Fletcher is expected to be used as a makeshift full-back for this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Tottenham, while Rafael’s twin brother Fabio could make his debut at left-back, although he is also short of fitness following an injury of his own.

United are likely to face Tottenham again in the Carling Cup final on March 1, with Harry Redknapp’s side taking a three-goal advantage into their semi-final second leg against Burnley.

Ferguson said he would keep faith with youngsters such as Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck who have performed well on the road to Wembley.

“They will all play in the final. They deserve to,” said Ferguson.

“It is always a great occasion at Wembley but the only way you can really enjoy it is by winning.”
Alex Chick/Eurosport

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