Ferdinand out for three weeks

Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out for at least three weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in Wednesday’s Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen at Old Trafford.

The summer signing from Leeds faces the prospect of sitting out a vital month of action, including a trip to his old Upton Park ground on Sunday, Premiership clashes with Liverpool and Arsenal, plus the opening match in the second stage of the Champions League.