Defenders still missing for Fulham - Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson watched Manchester United lose 1-0 at Everton and then revealed none of his injured defenders will be fit for Fulham.

The Red Devils' chief was forced to start with midfielder Michael Carrick in central defence while Luis Antonio Valencia was in a right-back role as Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini capped a man-of-the-match display with the only goal of the game for the Toffees at Goodison Park on Monday. Ferguson is set to bring in new signing, Dutch defender Alexander Buttner, but admitted after the game that the likes of Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand will not be ready to face Fulham at Old Trafford. "I don't think any will be fit for Sunday," he said. "Hopefully Evans is getting near to be able to start. With a good week's training it will bring him on a bit and in a couple of weeks he will be okay." Meanwhile, Ferguson was disappointed with United's attacking play and felt they did not get enough out of £24million signing Robin van Persie, who came on as a second half substitute. "We were a wee bit disappointing in terms of finishing off the approach play we had," Ferguson said. "We played around him (Van Persie) too much, we didn't show enough penetration." Ferguson added on MUTV: "With Robin in your team you know you want to use his ability against centre-backs in situations he is very good at - but we didn't use him enough. "There were a couple of moments: I thought Danny Welbeck maybe was pushed (by Phil Jagielka in the first half) as he went in the box - that was a big moment. "Tom Cleverley's shot was saved by Jagielka on the line in the second half. "We had these kind of moments but I'm not criticising the team, they worked well and played some great football. "It's difficult here, you have the crowd influencing the referee all the time and it makes it difficult for you."