Champions League - Ferdinand 'will make final'

Eurosport - Wed, 20 May 14:30:00 2009

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has played down concerns that Rio Ferdinand might be forced out of the Champions League final against Barcelona.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Manchester United Rio Ferdinand - 0

Ferdinand missed both the Manchester derby and Wednesday's win at Wigan after injuring a calf muscle in the semi-final triumph over Arsenal.

"He won't play tomorrow (against Arsenal on Saturday) but he should be fit for next Sunday's game at Hull and I am sure he will be available for the final," he said.

"It is one of those calf niggles that usually take 10 days to two weeks (to recover from).

"Other than his work in the gymnasium he is not training at the moment."

Other than Ferdinand, plus long-term casualties Owen Hargreaves and Wes Brown, Ferguson has a fully-fit squad at his disposal as United look to secure at least a point against Arsenal that will ensure they win another Premier League title.

It means changes are certain from Wednesday night, with Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tevez among those set to get a place in the starting line-up, with Ben Foster standing by if Ferguson decides that Edwin van der Sar needs a break.

"I will freshen up the team from Wednesday because it was a really gruelling game on a very heavy pitch," said Ferguson.

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PA Sport

Comment 8 - 27 of 27

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  1. Rio Ferdinands face looks like a doberman dog!

    From Dee, on Tue 7 Jul 7:23PM

  2. Here's a killer spam mail Qoute of the week..
    Man­ Utd fans will­ loves this..
    Ready check this­ out..
    "Anw that Fat­ Spanish Butthole still insist­ he's in with a­ chance,apparently lurking, stalking­ & talking to SkySports­­ somewhere"!!..Jesus!!..he's even fooling the­ fools!!..haha..

    P.s:This is nothing personal seriously­ but LET'S ALL JUST LAUGH OUT LOUD!!..haha..sorry­ mate i can't help myself..Ouch!!..:)..

    From Those Rats likes Bin dippin for free Cheeseburger, on Mon 18 May 11:20AM

  3. come on barcelona get right into this english scum

    From sirstevejones14, on Mon 18 May 2:43AM

  4. I HOPE THAT WILL BE AN ITALIAN REFREE OTHERWISE WILL­ BE ANOTHER FARCE

    From ciro cappiello, on Sun 17 May 11:38PM

  5. make no mistake man utd will win the champions league­ and that's a fact

    From wolfman, on Sun 17 May 11:27AM

  6. Something wicked this way comes (from Barcelona)...­ Manu 0 - Barca 2. Although if it would get that @#$% to­ retire it might be worth getting Pep to throw the­ match...

    From DaGringo, on Fri 15 May 4:51PM

  7. SAF, not too many changes though. we must wrap up the­ EPL on Saturday, so we focus
    on the Champions­ league.

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Fri 15 May 4:22PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I discovered a hot place
    ------Wealth y F inder C o­ M------ where many sexy singles- who like dating and--­ chatting there. I'm an open- minded girl from US,­ I-- am Waiting 4 u

    From Bob S, on Fri 15 May 3:43PM

  9. comment 20 ymca man, it's human nature to err, no­ single player can play 90 mins & not make a­ mispass, miskick .
    he's a man ,not a robot u kn0wb

    From antoni50, on Fri 15 May 3:02PM

  10. no 9 , keepers are mentally drained as they have to­ concentrate for 90 mins , something you wouldn't­ understand. do you think they all just stand there­ & wait for something to do ??? no they are­ organising & instructing the defence to do that is­ mentally tough, michael why don't you try &­ concentrate for 10 minutes , don't bother you­ ain't got the mentality for it. loot

    From antoni50, on Fri 15 May 2:55PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Ferdinand will make mistakes in final.

    From NewarkYMCA, on Fri 15 May 2:45PM

  12. Whats that kopshite trying to say?3-1 was the result­ when chelsea beat liverpool at anfailed

    From saeed, on Fri 15 May 2:41PM

  13. 15-no Fletcher is not eligible for the final.

    From saeed, on Fri 15 May 2:35PM

  14. hes talking about fletcher against arsenal mate.

    From Vishay K, on Fri 15 May 2:28PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Is Darren Fletcher eligible for the Champions League­ final? Thought he was suspended.

    From Erskine Sam, on Fri 15 May 2:19PM

  16. its the mental sharpness in keepers michael

    From Thomas, on Fri 15 May 1:47PM

  17. BELIEVE.

    From kuledX, on Fri 15 May 1:31PM

  18. Michael S,Possible injuries?

    From kuledX, on Fri 15 May 1:29PM

  19. Comment 9: Michael

    Fergie brings players on and off­ so much its his way of making them all, including Van­ der Sar, feel part of a team.

    From Flown_away, on Fri 15 May 1:16PM

  20. i always wonder why managers rest 'keepers.­ It's not like they charge around for 90 minutes is­ it, can't exactly be strenuous?

    From Michael, on Fri 15 May 1:10PM
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