FERDINAND INJURY KO

The real reason behind Rio's loss of form

PREMIER LEAGUE WEEKEND PREVIEW

Rio a confirmed absentee as United do battle with Chelsea.

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By Cliff Hayes, 01/11/2009

RIO FERDINAND could be out for up to EIGHT WEEKS with a worrying back injury.

The Manchester United and England defender has been carrying the injury for months.

And now anxious United physios are demanding he gets the rest and treatment he needs to cure the problem. Ferdinand may need to see a specialist after being left out of United's 2-0 Premier League triumph over Blackburn yesterday.

His back ailment has affected his running but Ferdinand had soldiered on bravely - despite being less than 75 per cent fit - because of his desire to help the club.

The news of his injury comes as former England boss Graham Taylor claimed the United superstar had "lost his legs."

Ferdinand had been criticised over Fernando Torres' goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win over United last week and his performance for England against the Ukraine.

Taylor insisted: "He struggled to keep up with Torres and I just don't think he is - or will be - the wonderful player he once was."

But sources at Old Trafford insist there is no concern about his form - only his injury.

An Old Trafford insider revealed: "All Rio wants to do is play pain free.

"This injury first flared up before United's Champions League quarter-final against Porto last season and it has gradually got worse.

"Now the problem has been identified and needs to be cured, whether it takes two, four, six or eight weeks."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is also furious that Ferdinand's form is being questioned.

He defended his big centre-half - who turns 31 next Saturday - after critics attacked his recent performances on the pitch.

And Fergie knows that a fully fit Ferdinand is still the best centre-half in the world.

Your comments

This article has 20 comments

good. good. should give us a few games to get back in contention for the prem. our best hopes this season is to get in the champions league and go for the FA cup. realistically thats the only way rafa is going to save his job.

LFC 4 EVA

By ben hamer. Posted November 6 2009 at 10:39 AM.

rio is not a finish article.i know he is notin theright form at the moment,butall players have thier ups and downs. may be he just need a rest to shakethis back problem thats been on and off. onething for sure is that he has love for united,his football.he is a real professional and a role model to many young people in this country just like david beckham.
see u back been fit again rio.

By yanks. Posted November 2 2009 at 1:03 AM.

hes a great defender and not a cheat like carragher
who got his justice yesterday. no JC FT or SG for a few games wil serve the cheating red side of liverpool a lesson

By phil b. Posted November 1 2009 at 5:26 PM.

hey rio is coooooool .... carra is not cooooool

By . Posted November 1 2009 at 2:53 PM.

maybe this is the time for Evans to shine

By Han. Posted November 1 2009 at 2:10 PM.

GT seemed to forget how Rio defended over the last few seasons. Every players has ups and downs. Just because he's unfortunate to allow a few goals in doesn't mean we can crucify him! Those who criticized him should think again before saying so, coz not everyday is a sunny day! Grow up dudes and get well soon Rio! We awaits you return!

By alpha1. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:29 PM.

Patsy

Good shout especially the drugs episope when he got paid whilst suspended...wonder if Whelan would have done the same at Wigan?????

I dont think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Yashin. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:39 PM.

he is past it so now knock his wages down he held united to ransom before 50% drop in money if he dont like it get rid john evams is willing and able its nice it comes around after his greed for money

By patsy. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:59 AM.

John Reid

I am with you however how long can they keep on winning palying so bad??? As for Rio I just Fabio can come up with an alternative (Upson)

Yesterday was a typical example of the OT fear factor 10 men behind the ball for a 0-0 at best..

I just wish teams would shos some bottle like Sunderland...sooner or later they will get found out..

Next week should be interesting as I can see Chelsea putting 3 or 4 past them.........without anyluck!!!!!

By Yashin. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:41 AM.

like a lot of the united squad hes past his best. Fergie eeds to spend 100-150m to get his team to where it was. Thanfully they're skint and we're seeing the end of an era. Time for the BLUES to shine.

By John Reid. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:52 AM.

Writing the guy off! Typical red top reader. Little to no understanding of football or life in general. He has made a couple of mistakes which is supposedly down to an injury he has, so surely that would indicate if he manages to shake off the injury he will get back to form.
Certainly one can question his form, but to suggest his career is over is foolish at best

By Aleks. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:44 AM.

very dissapointing news, now they may play a decent defender

By roy. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:36 AM.

Get well Rio,have a rest.I know you are committed and even though you are injured,you still want to play on but think of your health first.

By brian. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:11 AM.

Please keep playing him, its the only way Liverpool are going to get any points this season

By richie. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:06 AM.

ferdinand is way passsed it look at the mistakes he has done they have beeen in the big games for utd let, its a shame jonny evens never played in derby has then city would of through on vlad wiess and turn him inside out again like he did when he played against northern ireland he still sees johny in his pocket lol

By kev roche . Posted November 1 2009 at 9:44 AM.

I have to agree with Jim....

However what ever happened to Fergies judgement relating to getting rid of players at the right time...

Shawcross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Yashin. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:10 AM.

you dont have to be graham taylor zeezoo, anyone can see he has lost it..bellamy ripped him to shreds for example! hes lost his pace & if you lose that you can only hide for so long. he is passed his sell by date and in decline, before long strikers will specifically run at him because he is a weak link. everyone gets injuries so no need to use that as an excuse, if hes injured dont play him, simples..age has got the better of him at the end of the day.

By martyn. Posted November 1 2009 at 6:10 AM.

Its a blessing in disguise for Evans. Those clangers against liverfools, moneybags mancs, Ukraine shows he's in decline. Let Evans shine - he's a very promising lad.

By Sam. Posted November 1 2009 at 4:57 AM.

You can use injury as an excuse, but he has been pants all season!!...he'll be 31 soon, and his best days are well and truly over!!

By jim. Posted November 1 2009 at 3:33 AM.

What does Graham Taylor know???

Answer look at his record.

By zeezoo. Posted November 1 2009 at 2:18 AM.

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