Fergie leaves Ferdinand at home as a precaution

Alex Ferguson has confirmed Rio Ferdinand was left out of Manchester United’s travelling party for their opening Champions League game with Benfica tomorrow as a precaution.

Ferdinand returned after a three-week absence in Saturday’s win at Bolton and with a crunch Premier League encounter with Chelsea looming on Sunday, does not want to take any chances with the long-serving defender.

Ferguson also revealed skipper Nemanja Vidic is yet to start training after suffering a calf injury in the opening weekend win at West Brom.

Squad: De Gea, Lindegaard; Evans, Evra, Fabio, Jones, Smalling; Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Nani, Park, Valencia, Young; Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen, Rooney.