Ferdinand boost for United

Rio Ferdinand could be fit for Manchester United’s second-leg Champions League showdown with Arsenal after scans revealed he had not cracked a rib.

The England defender was forced off and had to be taken to hospital during the first leg of the sides’ semi-final meeting at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

He will miss United’s Premier League game with Middlesbrough tomorrow but manager Alex Ferguson is confident he could be fit to face the Gunners.

“It’s good news with Rio. It is not a cracked bone, he had a bit of bruising on the lung which was why he was coughing up blood but there has been nothing since then,” Ferguson said.

“Hopefully we can get him ready for Tuesday, he seems almost back to normal. But he won’t play tomorrow.

“Of course when you see it at the time you fear the worst but now it is just a case of getting him back training, hopefully on Sunday, and getting him ready for Tuesday.”