Manchester United v Chelsea: Sir Alex Ferguson's prayers answered with Rio Ferdinand's return

Manchester United v Chelsea: Sir Alex Ferguson's prayers answered with Rio Ferdinand's return

For all of Rio Ferdinand’s fitness problems in recent seasons, one statistic underlines precisely why Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to ‘praying’ that the Manchester United defender would return from his ten-week injury lay-off in last Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea.

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By Mark Ogden 11:00PM BST 11 Apr 2011

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Prior the 1-0 first-leg victory at Stamford Bridge, Ferdinand, cursed by back, knee and calf injuries for the past two years, had made 20 appearances for United this season and emerged unbeaten in each one.

Wayne Rooney’s goal six days ago ensured another game was added to Rio’s run, but the 32-year-old defender’s unflappable performance alongside Nemanja Vidic was the foundation on which United’s potentially decisive victory was built.

“That was probably one of Rio’s best performances in a United jersey,” Ferguson said. “He was absolutely magnificent.

“But I knew it would happen because all the incentives were there. The adrenaline of coming back into the team, the importance of the occasion, it was perfect for Rio.”

Since sustaining a calf injury during the pre-match warm-up prior to United’s defeat – their first in the league this season – against Wolves at Molineux on Feb 5, Ferdinand has endured one of the darkest periods of his career.

Relieved of the England captaincy without so much as a phone call from Fabio Capello, Ferdinand also had to contend with Ferguson’s public admission that he feared the player’s injury would end his involvement this season.

Doubts over his long-term future for club and country had resurfaced, but Ferguson insists that Ferdinand’s experience and authority remain priceless commodities when the £30m is fit.

Ferguson said: “Chris Smalling’s performances this season have been brilliant, but I was praying Rio would be fit for last week's game because of what he give us in composure and talking to the players around him.

"We don't expect Smalling, at 21 years of age, to be directing and instructing players, but Rio does that really well. He has composure on the ball, doesn't panic and handled everything.

“That's why I was confident when he said to me, on the Sunday, that he was ready to play. He came across on a (golf) buggy to a youth team game and I said, 'this bugger wants to play, I can tell.’

"You drive half a mile from the training complex to the youth team game for one reason, and I was really pleased."

Ferdinand’s ability to cope with United’s demanding fixture list remains an issue and Ferguson’s decision to rest him against Fulham at the weekend was significant.

Next season, if Ferdinand’s fitness enables him to remain at Old Trafford, the former Leeds defender can expect more of the same, with his appearances tailored to suit, and protect, his physical condition.

Smalling is likely to be given the opportunity to continue to his progress, with Ferguson keen to add another central defender to his squad, but Ferdinand insists he is able to quickly find his feet after absences from the starting line-up.

“As the manager has said, the players know the club, and our roles, inside out.” Ferdinand said. “Just because you are injured, you don't lose sight of what you are doing at the club.

“You keep your eye in, you watch the matches here at Old Trafford. It is just about going out there and putting it into practice. You don’t lose sight of where you’re at.

“I had a few good days training with the team and, when you’re playing around quality players like we have here, it makes it easier.

“I think you just have to have confidence in your own ability. I deemed myself fit to play and from then on, it is all about having the confidence in your own ability to go out there and perform.”

Ferdinand concedes, however, that he felt the need to convince Ferguson of his fitness ahead of the Chelsea game. “I actually did go over there just to watch the youth games to be honest with you, but when I saw the manager's grey puffa jacket, I did make a bit of a beeline to him.” Ferdinand said.

“Just to make sure there were no grey areas and he knew I was definitely feeling I was right.

“A lot of people do that. I’m sure the boss has had loads of people come up to him and say 'Listen I am fit if you are in two minds about whether you are thinking of playing me'. I wanted to make sure he knew that.”
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