Fergie fears injury crisis may cost Man U the trophy

London, Dec. 20 (ANI): Following their 3-0 defeat to Fulham, Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping that Manchester United's defensive injury crisis does not cost his team more Premier League glory.

"We again had to use midfield players at the back and a lad who is just 20 years of age. We have been coping recently but it's when you go behind that there is a problem," News of the World quoted Ferguson, as saying.

A Red Devils side containing a back four of Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Ritchie De Laet and Patrice Evra finished well beaten at Craven Cottage.

That made it five league defeats already this season for the champions, who appear to be throwing away the chance to retain their title next year.

"And the first goal was a terribly soft one from our point of view. Then the goal just after half-time killed us. It was a bad decision from the referee for the third goal. But it was a difficult day for us all round, really," Fergie said.

"It was important for them to go ahead but this made it a bad day for us," he added.

Ferguson admitted that he hopes the loss by the Thames does not cost his team more Premier League glory.

"Five league defeats? The way the league is at the moment, I hope it's not too damaging," he said.

"I hope it does not cost us the league. But to get back up there we need to get our defenders returning and we are working overtime on that."

"But there is no light at the end of the tunnel, that is for sure. And the quality of our football today was not as good as it normally is," he added.

"But if we can get defenders back, we will be all right." (ANI)