Ferdinand set to miss opener against West Brom
However, Ferguson does not believe the ankle injury sustained by the world’s most expensive defender against Boca Juniors on Saturday will keep him out of the televised trip to Chelsea on August 23.
Ferdinand fell awkwardly as he leapt to avoid goalkeeper Roy Carroll during the first half of the 2-0 win at Old Trafford and was barely able to put any weight on his left leg as he was helped down the tunnel.
Fears of ligament damage were immediately downplayed, although Ferguson did suggest the England defender would not make the trip to Hungary for tomorrow night’s Champions League qualifier with Zalaegerszegi. The Scot has now extended that doubt to the start of the new Premier League campaign but, with the swelling gone, Ferguson believes the trip to Stamford Bridge is a realistic target.
‘‘By yesterday morning the swelling had gone completely,’’ the United chief said. ‘‘He will still probably miss Wednesday’s game and he might not make the West Brom match, but I would hope he will be fit for the following week.
‘‘The great news is that it is not as serious as we first thought.’’
Despite the early setback to his United career, Ferguson is convinced Ferdinand will go on to establish himself as one of United’s all-time greats.
‘‘He has great balance, great pace and a huge presence. At 6ft 3in he has all the attributes required for any centre half to dominate,’’ added Ferguson. ‘‘He had a fantastic World Cup and is without doubt the emerging player in England just now.’’
Ireland’s central defender John O’Shea looks set to get the nod to replace Ferdinand after taking over from the British record £29.3million arrival from Leeds. O’Shea slotted in neatly alongside Laurent Blanc on Saturday and, with Wes Brown’s recent outings coming in the right-back slot, the Waterford-born 21-year-old is almost certain to be given his chance.
French keeper Fabien Barthez took part in training yesterday but his place is also in doubt after missing Saturday’s game with the thigh injury which ruled him out of the recent encounters with Parma and Aarhus.
Roy Carroll has already proved himself a more than capable deputy but it will leave 18-year-old Ben Williams on the bench for a game Ferguson has already admitted his side dare not lose. Ferguson has admitted Arsenal will be the team to beat in the new Premiership campaign.
‘‘We have been battling away with them for the past seven years,’’ he said. ‘‘Liverpool are very strong and powerful. They have a great team spirit and will be hard to beat, but Arsenal are the ones we will have to overcome.
‘‘They finished last year with 14 wins in a row, which is fantastic form in any league. They didn’t lose an away game either and those two factors intermingled were the reasons why they won the title.
‘‘We galvanised ourselves after a bad patch but, when we needed a break against Liverpool in January, it didn’t come.
‘‘It didn’t leave us with any leeway but, even if we had kept our charge going, we still might not have won it.’’ Meanwhile, Cameroon defender Lauren believes Arsenal are on the verge of greatness - despite the retirement of two of the old guard, Tony Adams and Lee Dixon.
Lauren took the shirt from Dixon last season and is determined to become a Highbury regular like his predecessor.
‘‘It is strange not to have Tony Adams at the club any more,’’ he said. ‘‘He helped a lot of people.
‘‘Of course it will be difficult without him but we have signed some good players, so I think we will do at least as well as we have done.
‘‘We have a young spirit with young players and the squad is going to get better and better. This coming season should see us become one of the best teams in Europe.
‘‘My target is for us to win not only the Premier League again but the Champions League as well.’’
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