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.