Source: SKY_Sports
Rio ready for Reds response
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand expects Sunday's clash with bitter North West rivals Liverpool to prove as fierce as always.[LNB] The Red Devils have been installed as favourites for the three points ahead of trip to Anfield at the weekend following their hosts' worst run of form for 22 years.[LNB]But Ferdinand does not believe that Liverpool's recent defeats to Fiorentina, Chelsea, Sunderland and Lyon will make the contest any easier for United.[LNB]The England centre-back told Sky Sports News: "The pressure is on both teams. We both want to win. The league is going to be a tight league this season.[LNB]"At the end of the day, form goes out the window in these games. It is like a cup game. It doesn't matter how well you're playing at the time. Form goes out the window and it is who plays best on the day."[LNB]PrematureFerdinand is also adamant that it would be premature to suggest that any team which suffers defeat on Sunday is set to struggle for the rest of the campaign.[LNB]He added: "It is too early to be thinking along those lines. No matter what the result, both teams are capable of being successful this season."[LNB]Ferdinand was substituted after 57 minutes of United's UEFA Champions League win at CSKA Moscow on Wednesday after aggravating a thigh injury.[LNB]But the former Leeds and West Ham star, who has struggled with a back injury, hopes that he is fully fit and will not have any problems ahead of the journey to Merseyside.[LNB]He said when asked if he was over his injuries: "I hope so. People keep saying, 'how is the back?' but the latest injury has nothing to do with my back.[LNB]"I pulled my thigh. Hopefully I have seen the back of them."[LNB]
