Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

United won't gamble on Rio

10 Apr 2009 - 13:48:54

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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will not be risked in Saturday's Premier League trip to Sunderland.

Ferdinand has missed United's last two games with a back problem which he aggravated while on England duty last week.

United have conceded five goals to Aston Villa and FC Porto in the absence of the influential centre-back.

But despite the title-chasing Red Devils needing three league points from their trip to the Stadium of Light, Ferdinand will be kept in reserve until next Wednesday's return trip to Porto in the second leg of their European quarter-final.

John O'Shea is now likely to partner Nemanja Vidic in the centre of defence against the Black Cats as Ferdinand's understudy, Jonny Evans, is also struggling with an ankle problem.

Fellow defenders Rafael Da Silva and Wes Brown are also close to comebacks after stepping up training this week.

"Rio started running today," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Rafael started training on Tuesday - he will be available for next weekend and Wes will start football training next week."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has rubbished reports that Wayne Rooney was a doubt for the Sunderland game with a rib injury.

Rooney took a blow to the chest in the 2-2 draw with Porto but is fit to play on Saturday.