Ferdinand out of FA Cup clash

Rio Ferdinand will miss Manchester United’s FA Cup third round tie at Southampton on Sunday.

Ferdinand has been suffering from back spasms and the United medical staff are now working towards the 30-year-old being fit for the title clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford on January 11.

Carlos Tevez is also absent having been given time off to visit his family in Argentina. Patrice Evra is suspended.

Team (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, O’Shea, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney, Welbeck, Gibson, Possebon.