Ferguson frets over Ferdinand injury

ALEX FERGUSON was left to contemplate a mounting defensive injury crisis after Rio Ferdinand became the latest addition to Manchester United’s growing casualty list.

The Old Trafford skipper left the Riverside stadium with a protective cast over his left ankle after he was forced off during the pulsating 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

With fellow central defender Nemanja Vidic sidelined for three weeks and Ferdinand all but certain to miss Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final return with Roma, Ferguson will be forced into drastic changes to his back four at a crucial point in the season.

“We’ve come away with a few bumps and bruises,” the United manager admitted. “Hopefully it’s not serious with Rio. But he was limping for too long and the danger was you keep carrying on and he was not giving full performance levels.”

Ferdinand limped off during a bruising encounter with Middlesbrough, where the Premier League champions were indebted to Wayne Rooney’s late equaliser to earn a share of the spoils.

United failed to build on Cristiano Ronaldo’s 37th goal of the season which broke the deadlock early on.

Ferguson admitted: “We could have lost the game and they had some chances. At times our defending was haphazard but on the other hand we could have won because the quality of our football was terrific at times.

“It became a great game of football when they changed their shape and both teams deserve great credit for producing a game like that at this time of year. It was fantastic.”

United must travel to Stamford Bridge to face nearest challengers Chelsea before the end of the season, but Ferguson is confident they will clinch a 10th Premier League title.

He added: “We will stretch ourselves in every game. It could prove a vital point our goal difference is good but we cannot take anything for granted.”

Boro manager Gareth Southgate played down a late spat with Ferguson in the technical area, when the pair clashed over the performance of the referee Mike Riley.

“We were arguing about different decisions. It’s important that I don’t back down in situations like that, but I have total respect for Sir Alex,” he added.