Manager Sir Alex Ferguson saw his injury list increase as his side reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League with their 100th win in the competition.
Two goals from the ever-improving Javier Hernandez were enough to overcome Marseille at Old Trafford and secure their passage thanks to a 2-1 victory on the night and on aggregate.However, they had to endure a nervous end to this last-16 second leg after a Wes Brown own goal with eight minutes remaining.
Ferguson's satisfaction at reaching the last eight for a fifth successive season was tempered by the fear that both John O'Shea and his replacement Rafael face a spell on the sidelines after suffering suspected hamstring injuries.
The treatment room is already full to bursting with Nemanja Vidic unavailable on Tuesday night with a calf problem.
Under Pressure
Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher, Michael Owen, Park Ji-sung, Jonny Evans, Michael Owen and goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard were among those also unavailable for selection.
Ferguson could be short of numbers going into a crucial phase of the campaign with United still on course for the treble.He was pleased with the response of the team after O'Shea and Rafael made early exits.
Ferguson said: "The balance of the team was affected with two defenders coming off. There was a lack of experience in the team and that could have cost us. But we hung on.
"They are a very powerful team and their delivery into the box was very good. They kept us under pressure a lot of times.
"When we played our football particularly in their half of the field we did okay. We always looked comfortable on the ball.
"But we just couldn't get enough of it in the second half in their half of the field. They kept us on the edge of our box a lot."
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