Rio Ferdinand targets return against Arsenal; Alex Ferguson delighted over Valencia win
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is hoping to be fit in time to face Arsenal FC on Monday in the English Premier League.
The Gunners, who travel to Old Trafford on the 13th of December in a season-defining match against bitter rivals Manchester United, are currently top of the table with 32 points. The north-Londoners were victorious in the local derby against Fulham
FC, when they beat the Cottagers 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
United are in 2nd place, 1 point behind Arsenal, but crucially have a game-in-hand; their away game against Blackpool FC was called off due to pitch problems.
Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken about the physical condition of his central defender, Rio Ferdinand. The England international limped off in United’s 1-1 draw on Tuesday night, against Valencia CF in the UEFA Champions League.
Rio, who has always been a dependable figure at the back for the Red Devils, was initially feared to have torn his hamstring. However, the damage has not been so severe and Ferdinand is expected to make a full recovery before the clash against Arsenal.
Ferguson, while commenting on his player’s condition said, “Rio has a tight hamstring. He felt it at half-time. He wanted to try it but it still felt tight. We weren't prepared to take a chance. There was no point because we had Chris Smalling to come on.
I am sure he will be OK for Monday.”
The draw against Valencia ensured that Manchester finished top of Group C of the Champions League. It was a tale of squandered chances from United’s point of view, but they got the valuable point they wanted at the end of the game.
Fergie’s men were dominant from the start of the match but went a goal down before the half time whistle. However, the home team pressed hard in the 2nd half and got their equalizer in the 62nd minute, through Brazilian midfielder Anderson.
The 68-year-old, in a post match interview said, “I think we made a lot of chances, played a lot of good football and five minutes after we scored we should have been two up. But then we just settled, we just tried to see out the game and sometimes that
can be dangerous. It's a psychological thing and of course you have young defenders there. The important thing is we played a lot of good football, we made a lot of chances and we should have scored a few goals.
With a break from European football until February next year, the Scott is ready to concentrate on domestic fronts. United are involved in key battles in the Premier League, including a trip to Stamford Bridge, to face reigning champions Chelsea FC.
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