Rio injury

United have received a major boost ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, second leg against Arsenal, with Sir Alex Ferguson declaring that Rio Ferdinand has a "good chance" of being fit.

The influential 30-year-old defender was forced off in Wednesday's 1-0 first-leg win over the Gunners after a blow to his torso. Initial fears of a possible three-weeks absence have now been allayed by the news that Rio's ribs are not fractured.

"There's nothing cracked or broken which is terrific news," Sir Alex said on Friday.

"Rio had bruising on the lung which caused a bit of coughing up of blood on the night but nothing’s happened since then so hopefully we can get him ready for Tuesday.