Ferdinand injury not as bad as feared

Alex Ferguson has received some welcome relief amid a defensive injury crisis after initial examinations suggested Rio Ferdinand did not suffer major damage to his groin in Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final.

The England defender limped off during the first-half of Saturday’s 4-1 win over Watford, adding to an injury list that already included Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Mikael Silvestre and John O’Shea.