We hope that Rio is OK

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Rio Ferdinand has not suffered a serious injury after the United defender was forced off in the second half at Middlesbrough.
With Nemanja Vidic already on the sidelines and crunch games coming thick and fast, it was worrying to see Ferdinand limping off with 20 minutes left at the Riverside Stadium.
The United manager told MUTV after the game: ”We got a few bumps and bruises, but we'll assess things on Monday.
“Hopefully Rio's injury is not serious. He was limping for quite a while and the danger with carrying on with him was we weren't going to get a full performance level from him.”
Gerard Pique replaced Ferdinand and five minutes later Wayne Rooney salvaged a 2-2 draw which leaves United three points clear of Chelsea at the top with five games left.
Ferguson added: “Pique came on and did brilliantly. He was marvellous. The lad's a terrific player and I think that actually helped us.”
have left the Riverside with a victory, Sir Alex remains upbeat over his side's chances.

"The nature of our football club is we never give in and that's a great quality to have at this time of year," he insisted.

Boss satisfied with point

We have left the Riverside with a victory, Sir Alex remains upbeat over his side's chances.

"The nature of our football club is we never give in and that's a great quality to have at this time of year. It could turn out to be an important point. But we can't take anything granted. I said some weeks ago that the most consistent team will win it and hopefully it turns out to be us."he insisted

"It could turn out to be an important point and our goal difference is very good as well. But we can't take anything granted.

"I said some weeks ago that the most consistent team will win it and hopefully it turns out to be us."

Vidic

During the recent match versus Roma, Nemanja Vidic landed awkwardly after an ariel challenge and immediately went to ground grabbing at his left knee. Vidic was replaced immediately by John O’Shea.

ManUtd.com is reporting that the Serbian international will only have to miss two or three weeks.

“There is no major damage to the left knee, and he will be out for two to three weeks.”, said a club spokesmen.

It was initially thought that Vidic would have to miss the remainder of the season, but a scan has revealed the damage was not as extensive as initially feared.

Roma 0 - Man U 2

Manchester United won 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to goals before and after the break by Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. The Red Devils take a vital 2-goal lead into the 2nd leg, to be played on Wednesday, 9th April 2008 at Old Trafford. The semi-final beckons, and with it another crack at history.

Cristiano Ronaldo scoring an away goal in a crucial game for Manchester United - showing a resolve that seemed missing in seasons gone past.

Wayne Rooney’s all-round performance, easily the man of the match for his work-rate, creativity and commitment. Ronaldo stole the show with his goal but the rest of the game was more about Rooney.

"I should have put Wayne Rooney through the middle quicker. We maybe had some lucky breaks in the second half, they could have scored a couple when they went through on the left hand side against us." Sir Alex Ferguson

"It was a very good team we were playing against," he said. "I think we had to defend really well at times. It was a good disciplined performance, we had good possession of the ball and that's not easy in that atmosphere.

Vidic’s injury - a knee strain as he landed awkwardly after jumping for a header - will be a cause of concern but hopefully it’s not a long-term injury like last season.

Roma’s wastefulness in front of goal - granted, by the end of the game both teams had their fair share of chances but there were periods of time before both goals that Roma had clear-cut chances to score, and they bottled it. For United to grab those crucial away goals in difficult games - at Lyon and now here at Rome - is a good sign of maturity from their players.