Rio Ferdinand Out Of Manchester United Team For Ten Days

Rio Ferdinand will be sidelined for up to 10 days after suffering a back injury while warming up for yesterday's match with Stoke City.

Alex Ferguson said: "Rio suffered a back spasm -- he has done it a few times this year -- and will miss Monday's match against Middlesborough. We have got to try and get to the bottom of the problem. But we will manage without him. Jonny (Evans) is an outstanding player. We are fortunate to have such a talented boy to call on. At 20 he shows such maturity. He reads the game well, he uses the ball well and his pace is good. He has all the attributes of a top player."

Talking about yesterdays result, Ferguson added: "You start to worry a bit as the second half looked a bit of a stalemate. Then Dimitar (Berbatov) showed great balance and turned the defender brilliantly before playing the ball across to Carlos (Tevez) to finish it off. We were delighted about that."

Ferguson was pleased with the way his side responded and shook off any lingering effects of jet lag.

"Hopefully we will look back and say this was a significant win for us. If we get to New Year's Day and are only a point or two away, then we will have a chance, it is not easy coming here. Stoke have beaten Arsenal and gone close against Chelsea and had some good results at home. Stoke are very resilient, determined and gutsy. However there is no question it was a sending off as it was a rash challenge by their player.".....Back To Home Page...