Source: Daily_Mail
Rio Ferdinand ban appeal risks defender's Carling Cup final chance
Frivolous challenge: Rio Ferdinand received an additional one-game suspension after an initial appeal against the FA's violent conduct charge Manchester United have jeopardised Rio Ferdinand's hopes of playing in the Carling Cup final by launching an appeal against the defender's suspension. The club are contesting the additional one-game ban imposed on top of a three-match suspension for striking Hull City's Craig Fagan. A disciplinary commission imposed the extra game last week after deciding the defender was guilty of a frivolous challenge to an FA charge of violent conduct. The appeal board has the power to rescind the additional ban, meaning Ferdinand would be available for the Premier League game against Everton a fortnight on Saturday. However, it can also increase the punishment by another game, ruling him out of the final against Aston Villa on February 28. Following the 3-1 demolition of Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson believes Portugal winger Nani is coming of age at United. Nani maintained his return to form at the Emirates with probably his best performance for United, and Ferguson believes the 23-year-old, bought from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 for £17million, has grown up after a difficult spell. Coming of age: Sir Alex Ferguson has saluted winger Nani (right) Ferguson said: 'He has been pretty immature since he came to the club, but you are seeing the development now. He is shy boy and you hope games like Arsenal will give him the confidence to know he is a United player.' Nani's team-mate Patrice Evra has claimed that the reigning Premier League champions are not being shown enough respect. United are in contention for a fourth successive title and Evra said: 'We want to write our name into the history books but plenty of people do not show enough respect for the reigning champions.' The Wayne Rooney phenomenon - Just how does Manchester United's red-hot striker do it?Wayne's world exposed: Court battle will reveal how, at just 24, Manchester United star Rooney's earning power has made him a £35m fortuneFerguson praises 'shy' Nani - who is finally coming of age at Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED FC