Sir
Alex Ferguson does not expect Rio Ferdinand to make
Manchester United's Champions League qualifier against
Zalaegerszeg on Wednesday.
The
England defender, making his Old Trafford debut, lasted
just 25 minutes of United's charity match against
Boca Juniors on Saturday after falling awkwardly when
trying to get out of the way from the on-rushing Roy
Carroll.
Ferdinand is not expected to be risked for United's
third qualifying round tie in Hungary, but the club
remain confident that he will be fit for the season's
opener against West Brom next Saturday.
"It doesn't look as though he will make the game
in Hungary but we will try everything we can to get
him right for next Saturday," said United manager
Ferguson.
"He was trying to hurdle Roy Carroll but landed
straight on the Boca player's foot, then went over
on his ankle."
Wes Brown is expected to replace £33.1m man
Ferdinand alongside French veteran Laurent Blanc at
the back. Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is also rated
as doubtful after he failed to shake off a thigh injury
for the visit of the Argentinian outfit.
But the injury to Ferdinand left a gloomy atmosphere
over Old Trafford and a match which was anything but
a friendly.
Carlos Tevez reacted angrily to a Paul Scholes challenge
and let fly with a swinging left elbow, for which
he was promptly shown the red card, as United ran
out 2-0 winners courtesy of a Ruud van Nistelrooy
brace.
"You don't want players to be sent off in a friendly
game," Ferguson added. "But it did get a
bit meaty at times."
