Despite all the on-and-off field controversy at Manchester United this season, Alex Ferguson’s men remain unbeaten in all competitions as they approach next Wednesday’s game with their City arch-rivals.

The manager was full of praise for the understrength teams which reached the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup with a 3-2 win over Wolves and all-but-ensured qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-0 win in Turkey over Bursaspor.

But United came away from Turkey with injury concerns over in-form Portuguese winger Nani and Scottish international midfielder Darren Fletcher.

The controversy was not of United’s own making last weekend. Their second goal in the 2-0 victory over Tottenham, scored by Nani, was certainly one of the strangest ever scored in top-flight football.

 

Nani handled the ball after falling under a penalty area challenge and seeing his appeals for a spot-kick dismissed.

But when Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes placed the ball for a free-kick which referee Mark Clattenburg had not given, Nani had picked himself up and was able to side-footed the ball back into an unguarded net as confusion reigned.

The goal was eventually given after Clattenburg consulted with his assistant, who flagged after Nani scored.

And while Clattenburg expressed regrets over certain actions, such as not sending away Rio Ferdinand when the United captain tried to join in the officials’ consultation, he “told friends” he was “happy” with the decision.

Darren Fletcher said after the game: “At the time I didn’t see a handball, and the referee hadn’t given a penalty, so it was play on.”

In-form Mexican striker Javier Hernandez scored a late winner to seal a 3-2 over Wolves in the Carling Cup and set up a Carling Cup quarter-final tie at EL bottom-club West Ham.

Wolves make a quick return visit to Old Trafford this Saturday for an EPL fixture.

Controversial summer signing Bebe opened his United account against Wolves, and added another goal in the 3-0 win over Bursaspor.

The Turkish win also included a first United goal for young French winger Gabriel Obertan, who has struggled to establish himself at the club since his £3m move from Bordeaux in July 2009. Fletcher scored United’s opening goal.

Ferguson was effusive in his praise for the youngsters who played in Turkey, including the goalscorers and centre-back Chris Smalling.

But he reserved particular praise for Obertan, saying: “Obertan’s developing very well and getting much stronger now. His goal showed that.

“Gabriel has been derailed quite a bit by injury but, as he showed against Bursaspor, he has a fantastic talent.”

The less-good news from Turkey was the groin injury picked up by Nani early in the match, which rules him out of the Wolves encounter, and an ankle injury to Fletcher.

Ferguson said: “Nani is out for Saturday and I think Darren will be out as well.

“We may have Darron Gibson back after a bout of flu but Anderson has had a virus as well and I don’t think he will be ready.”