Ferdinand worry for Fergie

Rio Ferdinand has given Sir Alex Ferguson another defensive headache after leaving Sunday's 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough with his foot in a protective case.

Ferguson can ill-afford to lose Ferdinand for long, with fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidic out for three weeks and some crucial matches coming up, including Arsenal at home and a visit to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

"I hope it's not serious with Rio, but he was limping for too long," said Ferguson.

He added: "The danger was to keep carrying on with him when he was limping he was not playing at his full performance level."

It looks unlikely Ferdinand will play in the Champions League second leg against Roma this week, especially with Gerard Pique impressing Ferguson as a replacement for the England defender.