Rio Ferdinand has been rated as 'touch-and-go' for Manchester United's top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal at The Emirates on Saturday.
The defender, the only ever-present player in the United team this season, has become the club's latest injury casualty after suffering a reccurrence of a groin problem.
According to the Evening Standard, Ferdinand, who was replaced with 20 minutes remaining of Saturday's win over Middlesbrough, underwent a scan on Monday instead of attending training.
'The England centre half fears a recurrence of a groin problem that forced him to miss four of United's final six games in the run-in to regaining the title last season,' it reports.
'United insiders expect Ferdinand to bite the bullet for Saturday's crucial lunchtime showdown at the Emirates, which is likely to be one of a handful of matches this season that settle the destination of the title.
'But there is concern that Ferdinand's injury will have to be addressed in the long term if it keeps returning to bother the defender, who is 29 next month.' Concern over Ferdinand was overshadowed on Monday by the news that Paul Scholes would be ruled out for three months with knee ligament damage. However, his absence could be offset by the return of Michael Carrick. The midfielder is believed to be nearing a comeback after dislocating his shoulder against Roma last month.
The defender, the only ever-present player in the United team this season, has become the club's latest injury casualty after suffering a reccurrence of a groin problem.
According to the Evening Standard, Ferdinand, who was replaced with 20 minutes remaining of Saturday's win over Middlesbrough, underwent a scan on Monday instead of attending training.
'The England centre half fears a recurrence of a groin problem that forced him to miss four of United's final six games in the run-in to regaining the title last season,' it reports.
'United insiders expect Ferdinand to bite the bullet for Saturday's crucial lunchtime showdown at the Emirates, which is likely to be one of a handful of matches this season that settle the destination of the title.
'But there is concern that Ferdinand's injury will have to be addressed in the long term if it keeps returning to bother the defender, who is 29 next month.' Concern over Ferdinand was overshadowed on Monday by the news that Paul Scholes would be ruled out for three months with knee ligament damage. However, his absence could be offset by the return of Michael Carrick. The midfielder is believed to be nearing a comeback after dislocating his shoulder against Roma last month.
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