Rio ready for Arsenal clash

It was feared the England defender had cracked a rib after a collision with Edwin van der Sar in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg.

Ferguson confirmed on Friday that Ferdinand has only suffered brusing to the lung and should be fit for the second leg on Tuesday.

But Ferguson will not risk Ferdinand in the clash with Middlesbrough on Saturday and is expected to put Jonny Evans alongside Nemanja Vidic at the back.