Rio Ferdinand will recover from 'blip' in form says Sir Alex Ferguson

02 November 2009 16:16
Ferdinand is out of United's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on Tuesday with the calf injury that kept him sidelined for the Premier League victory over Blackburn on Saturday.[LNB]The England defender has been singled out for criticism by figures within the game, with former national team manager Graham Taylor casting doubt at the weekend over his ability to rediscover his best form.[LNB] Related ArticlesNew father Rooney given night off by FergusonWayne Rooney absent from trainingGary Neville's moaning is tainting his legacyGary Neville: Barnsley red card 'blatantly wrong'Manchester United demand fans stop Wenger chantFerguson hails Evans-Brown partnershipBut Manchester United manager Ferguson claims that he has no fears over Ferdinand's long-term prospects.[LNB]He said: 'In my time here, we've always had a situation where one of the star players hits a little blip and he is going to get criticism.[LNB]'That's all part of being a player at Manchester United and I think we are all aware of that.[LNB]'With Rio, it's quite simple and no player likes to be criticised.[LNB]'They like to be loved and have arms around their shoulders at times, but he will come out of it, there is no question about that.[LNB]'There is no discernible depreciation in his qualities, none for me at all.[LNB]'Playing with injuries is not the easiest thing to do, but of course we will try to get that right.'[LNB]Reports at the weekend had suggested that Ferdinand faced surgery on a back problem that could keep him sidelined for two months.[LNB]United have insisted that Ferdinand has eradicated any back concerns with a special core-based training programme and, although Ferguson admits Ferdinand could miss the weekend trip to Chelsea, he claims that the 30 year-old merely needs time to overcome a calf injury.[LNB]Ferguson said: 'I can only clarify it in the terms of it being a calf injury. What more can I tell you?[LNB]'Calf injuries can be troublesome and, if you don't arrest them and give them their proper treatment, you can end up the way we are just now with players playing games when they are not 100 per cent fit.[LNB]'We want them to be 100 per cent fit and that's the situation.[LNB]'It's difficult to say (about prospects for Chelsea game). He is doing some good work and hopefully we will see an improvement.'[LNB]Wayne Rooney is a doubt for the CSKA clash with expectant wife Coleen having entered hospital this morning.[LNB]

Source: Telegraph