Manchester United will play FC Basle in their second UEFA Champions League group game on Tuesday, but they face the prospect of playing without eight first-team contenders.

Forwards Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez are definite absentees. Rooney played no part in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stoke City as he suffered from a hamstring injury while his strike partner Hernandez lasted on 11 minutes in that game before limping out with a dead leg.

Neither of them took part in Monday's training session at Carrington and club manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have to choose between Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck, who has recovered from an injury.

The strike department isn't the only area where United are weakened. Defenders Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Johnny Evans are all suffering from various injuries and played no part in the training session.

With Rafael a long-term absentee, Sir Alex has had to play winger Antonio Valencia in the right back slot and may have to do so against Basle. Along with Rafael, Tom Cleverly and Darren Gibson are also out for the long-term.

After drawing Benfica in the opening group stage game, United will look for a win against group leaders Basle.

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