Ferdinand in race to face Gunners
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists Rio Ferdinand will be fit to face Arsenal next week after an injury to the defender blighted an otherwise successful Champions League night against Valencia.
United may have been held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Anderson’s strike equalising after Pablo Hernandez had put the visitors in front, but it was enough to ensure Ferguson’s men topped Group C.
First place is a huge boost as it means they will avoid heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid, and their conquerors last season, Bayern Munich, when the draw is made for the knockout stage next week.
Ferdinand was withdrawn early in the second half after tweaking a hamstring, raising doubts he could miss Monday’s top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal, but Ferguson was quick to play them down.
“We can’t take any chances with the game on Monday but I’m sure he will be OK,” he said. “Their keeper had a golden day – we should have scored a few tonight. As for the next round, you get what you get.”
WHO’S THROUGH? CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 AS IT STANDS
GROUP WINNERS
TOTTENHAM
Schalke
MAN UTD
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
CHELSEA
Real Madrid
RUNNERS-UP
Inter Milan
Lyon
Valencia
FC Copenhagen
Marseille
AC Milan