UK: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson confirms Rio Ferdinand will be in his Champions League squad against Arsenal

Record ID: 336136

  • Title: UK: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson confirms Rio Ferdinand will be in his Champions League squad against Arsenal
  • Date: 5th May 2009
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 4, 2009) (REUTERS) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER ARRIVES AT A PRESS CONFERENCE / CHANDELIER (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER ALEX FERGUSON SAYING ABOUT RIO FERDINAND: "Yeah I think that's important there was a concern last Wednesday when he had to come off and when they spit blood you worry about that. But fortunately it was
  • Embargoed: 20th May 2009 13:00
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  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2HF70A9ZW7EMXLTO7IVSO3Q30
  • Story Text: There was good news for Manchester United on Monday (May 4) when centre back Rio Ferdinand trained after the bruised lung that had him coughing up blood before going off in the first leg.
    United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed that Ferdinand will start against Arsenal in the Champions League second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday (May 5).
    "There was a concern last Wednesday when he had to come off and when they spit blood you worry about that. But fortunately it wasn't so serious so that he won't miss any more games than he did, and that was Saturday, so I am pleased with that. Am pleased they have all come through anyway. When you are going into a game as important as tomorrow then you want everybody available and we have got that."
    ," Ferguson told a news conference in London on Monday.
    Midfielder Michael Carrick said the return of Ferdinand, who missed Saturday's comfortable 2-0 Premier League win over Middlesbrough, was a real lift.
    "He has just got that presence that certain players have within the squad, have that presence. It does make a difference when he is there. He talks a lot, he has just got bags of ability and he is just a top, top class player," Carrick said.
    The defending champions carry a 1-0 lead into the game courtesy of John O'Shea's goal but could and should have scored more, particularly in the first half when they totally dominated.
    United still have plenty of work to do if they are to stop Arsenal reaching their second Champions League final in four seasons following defeat by Barcelona in the 2006 showpiece.
    Arsenal are yet to concede a home goal in the Champions League this season but United have more firepower and European knowhow than any of those visitors to north London.
    "We have to go there with intend of trying to score that's important thing to have a threat and I think that is important. Hopefully we do score I think that we have the ability to score and that would put us in a very strong position but still it will be a very close game you can't call it, we've got two terrific sides it should be quite engrossing game really,"
    said Ferguson.
    The teams have met 205 times with Man United winning 83 and Arsenal 74 and there's been 45 draws.
    Wayne Rooney is one booking away from missing the final but Ferguson said he would not be raising the issue.
    "He (Rooney) knows the circumstances. I am sure I do not need to spell out. He's a mature young man. He understands perfectly well the need for good discipline and most of the time it is that way," said Ferguson.
    United cruised past Middlesbrough on Saturday to put an 18th league title within their grasp and are unbeaten in 24 Champions League matches, a competition record.
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