In fact Fergie will need to run the rule over the fitness of Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra and Darron Gibson before finalising his Manchester United line-up to face Stoke.
Rooney is the most obvious worry after getting a nasty kick on his ankle by Chris Brunt at West Brom on Saturday.
Nani (hip) might be available, while skipper Nemanja Vidic escaped suspension for his fifth booking of the season, which came one day after the December 31 cut-off point.