United could be without Rio Ferdinand for the decisive second
leg against Arsenal after the influential defender headed to
hospital on Wednesday night.
The centre-half left the field a few minutes before the end of
the European champions’ 1-0 victory, having taken a blow to his
torso as the Gunners pressed unsuccessfully for an equaliser.
Ferdinand sustained the injury in a ruck of players when Arsenal
substitute Nicklas Bendtner headed over from a Cesc Fabregas
free-kick, the nearest the visitors came to breaching the Reds’
rock-solid back line.
“Rio got a crack right on the ribs and we hope there’s nothing
broken,” said Sir Alex Ferguson.
“If you get a rib injury, you could be out for two to three
weeks maybe. We just have to wait for the (hospital) results
obviously.”
Jonny Evans came on for Rio to help the Reds complete a
priceless clean sheet and the young Irishman is now set to deputise
for at least Saturday’s league game at Middlesbrough.
Ferdinand was sent for a scan after the game on Wednesday, and
ManUtd.com will bring you news of the extent of the injury from Sir
Alex’s press conference at 12:00 BST on
Friday.