Welbeck in line to start in Basel

Danny Welbeck could be set to fill the void left by Javier Hernandez by starting for Manchester United at Basel on Wednesday.

The 21-year old played for the first time in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa since suffering a muscle injury with England and following Javier Hernandez’s injury United are short on strikers.

Hernandez was stretchered off in the first half of his team’s 1-0 victory and is set to be out for up to four weeks after tearing ankle ligaments.

Dimitar Berbatov has also been struggling with an ankle injury and with Michael Owen ruled out, United manager Alex Ferguson finds his options limited.

“We think with Hernandez that it’s torn ankle ligaments unfortunately. That will keep him out for a month,” Ferguson said.

“We’re having a torrid time with injuries at the moment but Danny Welbeck came back at Villa, got some time on the pitch, and he gives us an option for Wednesday.”

“He’s not had a lot of football recently so it’s something I’ll have to consider.”

“But I thought Nani did all right down the middle and Antonio Valencia also did very well when he came on so we’ve got some options up front. Maybe Berbatov will be fit also.”

Ferguson also admitted he could play England international Phil Jones, who scored the winner at Villa Park, in the midfield again with Michael Carrick suspended.

“Jones is a natural centre back but he’s so versatile he can play in midfield,” he said.

“We played him there because we don’t have Michael Carrick for Wednesday because he’s suspended and we have to look at options.”

“We’ve also got Darren Fletcher available and we didn’t want to use Ryan Giggs against Villa because of the importance of Wednesday.”