Ferdinand ruled out for six more weeks
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Manchester United blow as Rio Ferdinand ruled out for six more weeks
Sidelined: Rio Ferdinand hasn't played since damaging his knee while on duty with England at the World Cup
Rio Ferdinand will miss the first month of the season after Manchester United last night ruled the defender out for another six weeks.
It was hoped the England captain might have recovered from the knee ligament injury he suffered in training for the World Cup in time to make the start of the new Premier League season.
But speaking ahead of the third game of United’s tour of North America against Kansas City Wizards in the early hours of tomorrow morning, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Ferdinand still faces a lengthy lay-off.
‘Rio should be six weeks maybe,’ said Ferguson. ‘It’s a knee ligament injury and you’ve got to be careful about that.’
Ferdinand’s latest setback has made it all the more important that United were able to end speculation over the future of Nemanja Vidic, who has agreed to sign a new four-year deal worth £90,000-a-week.
Ferguson added: ‘We didn’t know it was going to be an issue until Rio got injured but it really strengthens our hand. It’s not easy renewing players’ contracts when they do well, particularly from other countries.
‘There has been speculation about Nemanja time and time again but we never had a strong feeling he really wanted to leave.
‘At the end of the day we managed to achieve the target of a four-year contract. We’re delighted. He’s a fantastic centre-half and a great competitor.
‘The negotiations were maybe prolonged a bit, but we started preparing some months ago by signing Chris Smalling.
‘It was important to stock up defensively.’
Ferguson also said that Michael Owen is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season but Javier Hernandez is expected to play in Wednesday’s game against the MLS All-Stars in Houston following the striker’s £7million move from Chivas.
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I think rio is past his prime.....fergie should consider a coaching role for him. He can no longer keep pace with quick strikers.
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rio is past his prime since a few years ago leh. he is damn injury prone for the past few seasons. he should consider retirement from england, to prolong his united career. u cant have your cake and eat it, when your body is fragile and prone and susceptible to injuries.
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smalling is in to replace Rio in the long term. Rio will still play bits and pieces if he can get fit.