Source: Daily_Mail
Captain crock: Fears over Ferdinand as Man United stars misses Cup final
New England captain Rio Ferdinand's miserable season is causing Fabio Capello even greater concern after the defender missed Manchester United's win over West Ham on Tuesday night with a recurrence of his back problem.[LNB]Ferdinand has missed a huge chunk of the season with a chronic lower back injury but was expected to play in a game that United won 3-0 at Old Trafford to move within a point of Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]However, it appears the 31-year-old will miss Sunday's Carling Cup final against Aston Villa and, more importantly for Capello, next Wednesday's England friendly against Egypt at Wembley.[LNB]Sidelined: Ferdinand will miss Sunday's Wembley showpiece[LNB]Ferdinand has only played in successive games twice this season, while his longest run is three matches in a row hardly the ideal preparation for a World Cup that could entail seven games.[LNB]United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'He got a twinge in his back in training yesterday morning.[LNB]'He had been training great, too, with no mishaps at all. But when you get these twinges, you can't take a chance. He won't be ready for Sunday and unfortunately for him, he will miss a couple of games.'[LNB] Ferdinand was appointed England captain in the wake of John Terry's sacking earlier this month, even though he has played only 11 times for his club this season.[LNB]Even when he returned from a long lay-off to face Hull in January, sources close to him suggested that his back 'could go again at any stage' and that is what appears to have happened.[LNB]Capello, on his way back from a trip to South Africa this week, will now turn to vice-captain Steven Gerrard for the Egypt game and must surely consider making a permanent change ahead of a World Cup that Ferdinand will go into with questions over his ability to play consecutive games.[LNB]With problems surrounding Terry and Wayne Bridge, after the scandal relating to Terry's personal life, and with first-choice left back Ashley Cole facing a fight to be fit for the finals, the England squad is beginning to look severely weakened.[LNB] Flaring up: England captain Ferdinand's back problem could jeopardise his World Cup[LNB]Ferdinand's absence had little effect last night as United kept up the pressure on Chelsea. One continuing bright spot for Capello is the form of Wayne Rooney, who scored twice to take his season's tally to 27, with Michael Owen getting the third.[LNB]Rooney has scored 19 goals in his last 19 games and West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola said: 'I've described him as King Midas because everything he touches turns to gold.[LNB] 'King Midas': Rooney powers home his second[LNB]'In the form he is in at the moment, every single opportunity he gets seems to end up as a goal. He had a normal game tonight but then he scored two and could have had a third. That tells you everything about a player.'[LNB]United suffered another injury blow when Anderson, making his first appearance for more than a month, was forced off inside 20 minutes with a knee injury. Ferguson said: 'We've sent him for a scan. Hopefully it's not serious but it's not looking great.'[LNB] Manchester United 3 West Ham 0: Heads again, Rooney! Wayne at the double but Rio sits it outManchester United fans give Glazers the cold shoulder with Old Trafford no-showWORLD CUP 2010: England boss Fabio Capello facing big problems ahead of finalsSir Alex Ferguson continues clampdown by gagging Manchester United academy kidsMANCHESTER UNITED FC
