Losing to brother bugs Rio

RIO FERDINAND has claimed Manchester United would have accepted their present Premier League position if they had been offered it at the start of the campaign — but it has still been a horrible Christmas for the England star.

A narrow victory over Birmingham yesterday kept United two points behind current pace-setters Arsenal, giving them every chance of retaining their title.

But last Saturday’s defeat at West Ham has put a frown on Ferdinand’s face. Not only did he have to suffer the indignity of losing against his former club, he had to watch brother Anton score the goal that brought the Hammers level.

“We are still there or thereabouts in the league and if we had been offered this position at the start of the season, we would have taken it,” he said.

“But nine points from four games over Christmas is not satisfactory for me at all.

“I have had an awful Christmas period, losing to West Ham and my brother scoring as well.

“But sometimes, you have to take these things on the chin and make sure they don’t happen again.”

* United striker Carlos Tevez is less seriously injured than first thought after being carried off during the 1-0 league win over Birmingham.

The 23-year-old Argentina international was forced off the pitch after 71 minutes but a United spokesman said: “Nothing is broken, Carlos Tevez has just got a badly bruised right ankle.”