Rio Ferdinand is fit for Saturday’s tea-time clash with
Tottenham, while Rafael will start at right-back following injuries
to Gary Neville and John O’Shea.
Ferdinand was rested in Wednesday’s win over Portsmouth after
playing for 120 minutes in the FA Cup semi-final. The 30-year-old
has struggled with a groin problem, but he is to be recalled into
the starting line-up.
“After extra time at Wembley, we felt it was best to rest Rio,”
said the boss. “Jonny Evans never lets us down, so we did the
sensible thing in resting Rio. We have Tottenham, a European tie
against Arsenal on Wednesday, a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against
Middlesbrough, then Arsenal again the following Tuesday.
“It’s a run of games in which we don’t take chances. Hopefully
we manage the whole thing without killing ourselves in terms of
players playing too much.”
Reds skipper Gary Neville will miss the next two weeks after
hobbling out of the Pompey victory with a foot injury. However,
there’s better news for John O’Shea, who came on for Neville but
was later forced off.
“O’Shea’s injury isn’t as bad as we thought,” Sir Alex added.
“We sent him for a scan, which came back all clear. He trained on
Friday, which is good. We were surprised because when it happened
(a tackle from Belhadj) I thought it was a bad one. Fortunately,
it’s not serious.”
Wes Brown may be included in the squad after coming through his
second Reserves game on Thursday. “Wes played and did OK. It’s a
bit early for him to start a match, but it’s good that he’s back.
We’ve had a great deal of trouble at right back this season. Now we
have Wes and young Rafael available. Rafa did well against
Portsmouth and he’ll start against Tottenham.”
United are three points clear in the title race, but Spurs are
the league’s form team and Sir Alex isn’t underestimating the
threat posed by his old friend Harry Redknapp.
“It’s another hard game,” he said. “At this time of the season
you don’t get easy games. Harry has got Spurs settled down now.
He’s used his experience and his eye for the right players has
always been good. There is a consistency about Tottenham now.
They’re difficult to beat and they’re pushing for a European
place.
“We’re in a better position today than we were last Friday. But
you see the road ahead and it is tricky. Every game is hard now;
credit to the league, you never get an easy game. So the only way
to deal with it is focus on each match as it comes along, which is
what we will do against Tottenham. Hopefully that gets us where we
want to be.
“At this stage of the season you play a game and it’s whittled
off the list. If you win, it’s a real bonus for you. It’s an
advantage of one less game.”