Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Rio Ferdinand has not cracked a rib and is hopeful the defender will be available for the Champions League semi-final second leg away to Arsenal on Tuesday.
The European champions go into next week’s second-leg with a one-goal advantage following John O’Shea’s first-half match-winner at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
United’s failure to convert a host of first-half chances prompted Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to claim Ferguson's team would live to regret their profligacy once the dust has settled at the Emirates, yet United remain bullish about their prospects of reaching a second successive final. On their three previous visits to the Emirates, United have managed four goals and each result to date - a 2-2 draw and two 2-1 defeats - would prove sufficient to earn a trip to Rome.
Just one goal next Tuesday for the Premier League leaders would leave Arsenal needing to score three times and Cristiano Ronaldo is confident that United have the firepower to progress.
Ronaldo said: “It’s going to be difficult against Arsenal but I’m dreaming of Rome and I am very confident. The Olympic Stadium is a great stadium. I believe we can go to Arsenal and score a goal or two.
“We should have scored more in the first game, but Manuel Almunia made some great saves – 1-0 is still a good result for us, though.” Had a dipping volley from Ronaldo not struck the crossbar late in the second half, United could have emerged from the first leg with a more commanding advantage.
But Wayne Rooney, who goes into the second leg knowing that a yellow card would rule him out of the final should United win through, echoed Ronaldo’s assertion that Ferguson’s team would up the ante by scoring in London.
Rooney said: “If we get a goal, Arsenal will need to score three so we’re in a good position. We have to go there and try to score. If we do that, it will give us a great opportunity to get to the final.
“I don’t know how Arsenal will be feeling but they know what a difficult game they’ll be in for next week. They know they can’t really afford to concede a goal. We limited Arsenal to very few chances at Old Trafford and, if we do that next week, we’ll fancy our chances.”
Rooney’s recent return to his best form was evident again against Arsenal, despite his deployment out of position on the left flank.
The tactical move by Ferguson enabled Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez to flourish in central roles and Ronaldo, whose 42 goals last season provided the foundations of United’s success, believes he is now hitting his best form at the perfect stage.
Stress & Strain
MAN UNITED
Injury concerns: Rio Ferdinand (rib), Owen Hargreaves (knee), Gary Neville (ankle)
One booking from missing Champions League final: Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Carlos Tevez
ARSENAL
Injury concerns: Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee), Robin van Persie, Mikael Silvestre, Eduardo (all groin), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring)
One booking from missing final: Abou Diaby, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie, Alex Song
CHELSEA
Injury concerns: Deco (hamstring), Joe Cole (knee), Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring), Paulo Ferreira (knee)
One booking from missing final: Michael Ballack, Alex, Nicolas Anelka
BARCELONA
Injury concerns: Gabriel Milito (knee), Martin Caceres (tonsillitis)
One booking from missing final: Daniel Alves, Sergio Busquets
Suspended for semi-final second leg: Carles Puyol
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