Ferdinand injury adds to defensive worries for United's challenge for honours

Published on Sunday 6 April 2008 23:13

Middlesbrough 2 Alves (35, 56) Manchester United 2 Ronaldo (10), Rooney (74)

RIO Ferdinand has given Sir Alex Ferguson another defensive problem after he departed the Riverside yesterday with his foot in a protective case following Manchester United's draw with Middlesbrough.

United can ill afford to lose Ferdinand for long with fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidic out for three weeks and some crucial matches coming up in the Barclays Premier League and Champions League. Yesterday's draw means they are just three points ahead of Chelsea, and they have to face Arsenal next weekend before going to Stamford Bridge on 26 April.

Ferdinand limped off during the match and left the stadium with his foot in a plastic case, as a precaution.

Ferguson said: "Hopefully it's not serious with Rio, but he was limping for too long. The danger was to keep carrying on with him when he was limping, he was not playing at his full performance level."

It looks unlikely that Ferdinand will play in the Champions League second leg against Roma on Wednesday, especially with Gerard Pique impressing Ferguson as a replacement for the England defender. "Pique came on and did absolutely terrific. He was absolutely marvellous and I think that helped us actually," added Ferguson.

United took the lead at an icy Riverside courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's 37th goal of the season but two goals from Brazilian striker Afonso Alves put Boro ahead. It was left to Wayne Rooney's late deflected effort to secure a share of the spoils. Ferguson admitted United had flirted with defeat.

He added: "We could have lost the game there's no question, they had some chances and at times our defending was a bit haphazard I thought. But at other moments we could have won the game because some of the quality of our football was terrific."

Ferguson insisted United had showed they will keep fighting every inch of the way for the title. He said: "The nature of the club is that we never give in and that's a great quality to have at this time of year.

We will be stretching ourselves in every game as long as we can. That point could be important, absolutely. I said some weeks ago consistency will win us it and I think the most consistent team will do that and I hope that it's us."

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate said the result had thrown open the title race again. Southgate said: "I'm not bothered who wins but the pleasing thing is that we have shown we can compete with the three best football teams.

"United and Arsenal are better to watch but Chelsea have a resilience. We have thrown it open a bit today which is good for the league."

Alves' goals were his first for the club and Southgate was thankful that "lift-off" had finally been achieved.

He added: "From his point of view, we have been working for lift-off. Last week he was bright and that was the first time we have created chances for him. We have seen on the training ground that he's an excellent finisher. His finishes were outstanding, and he has given everyone a glimpse of what he can do."

Southgate said his team had come close to inflicting a defeat on the league leaders. "We had them rattled, we had them on the back foot," he said. "We responded very well to going a goal behind and right to the end had chances."

Southgate and Ferguson clashed on the touchline briefly but the Boro boss said there was no problem between the two managers.

"I was complaining about one of the decisions and he was saying it was justified, I think it's important I don't back down in those situations, but I have complete respect for him."