Ferdinand may be sidelined for at least three weeks

• zocoss

  30 Apr 09, 12:56

  UNITED FRET OVER RIO INJURY

  

   

  
  

  Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has not broken any ribs in the 1-0 win over Arsenal.

  Ferdinand was forced off during the closing stages of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

  The centre-half appeared to suffer the injury after being clattered by Edwin van der Sar as the United keeper came out for a free-kick.

  The England international was taken from Old Trafford in an ambulance to undergo further tests on the extent of the injury.

  United boss Ferguson admits that, if X-rays show any broken ribs, then Ferdinand is likely to be sidelined for several weeks.

  "He's got a crack right on the ribs," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "It's just precautionary and, obviously, we hope it's nothing broken because if you get a rib injury then he'd be out for two or three weeks.

  "We will have to wait and see, and we just have to wait on the results."

• zocoss

  1 May 09, 10:35

  Agony for Rio: Ferdinand to miss United run-in after horror injury
  

   

  

  Cracking up: Ferdinand clutches his side before leaving the field against Arsenal

   

  Rio Ferdinand may be sidelined for at least three weeks with a cracked rib after it emerged the Manchester United skipper was coughing up blood after a collision in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final win over Arsenal.

  The injury setback is a significant blow to Sir Alex Ferguson’s hopes of retaining  United’s English and European crowns. 

  Ferdinand left the field clutching his right side after he ran into Eduardo, and moments later he was sandwiched between keeper Edwin van der Sar and Nicklas Bendtner contesting a high ball.

  The central defender has had X-rays and worried manager Ferguson said: ‘He’s got a crack right on the ribs. Obviously, we hope there’s nothing broken, but we just have to  wait on the results.’

   

  

  Late season blues: Ferguson will be without Ferdinand for three weeks and faces a bid from Liverpool for Tevez

   

   

  The player may miss the Barclays Premier League fixtures against Middlesbrough, Manchester City, Wigan and Arsenal, as well as next week’s semi-final second leg at the Emirates.

  However, he could return in time for the last game of the season at Hull, as well as the Champions League final in Rome if United make it through.

• sand king

  1 May 09, 10:38

  Wow! Perfect timing...

• omgukilledkenny

  1 May 09, 10:55

  pray lor, still unconfirmed mah.

• ctstalin

  1 May 09, 10:59

  fcuk...not at this time

• marcteng

  1 May 09, 14:17

  this is not a good news if he has to miss a few weeks out, as Evans, although he is good, but he is still young and inexperienced. Vidic, w/o rio at partner, is not the same if rio is with him at centreback. their partnership I think, is much better than the Pallister/Bruce combo in the 90s.