Will Rio’s absence swing the Premiership title race?

MANCHESTER United are one foot into the Champions League final, thanks to John O’Shea’s solitary goal in the first-leg semi-final at Old Trafford early this morning.

But the victory comes at a price, as centreback Rio Ferdinand could be out for the rest of the season with a cracked rib, pending further tests.

This comes at a time where United’s backline is just looking more confident following its recent shakiness, notably in games where Sir Alex Ferguson had to rely on central defensive pairings other than the usual Ferdinand-Vidic axis.

United are currently leading Liverpool by three points, with a game in hand, but United have some tough opponents in their remaining five league matches – against Manchester City at home on 10 May, and a home game against Arsenal the following weekend.

Given how United looked so frail without Ferdinand and Vidic together in the heart of defence, and how Liverpool have come into form in March, will Ferdinand’s injury swing the fate of the Premiership race this season yet again?

How would you shore up United’s defence?

WITH this morning’s 2-2 draw between Manchester United and Porto in the Champions League, any hopes of a United resurgence after the 3-2 weekend win over Aston Villa have all but evaporated into thin air.

While they previously have only conceded almost 30 goals in 52 games in all competitions this season, they have shipped in 10 in the last four games. Even Sir Alex Ferguson have admitted the fragility of his defence after a last-gasp equaliser by Maciano left the Old Trafford faithful high and dry.

Ronaldo – should he stay or just go far, far away?

WITH Frederico Macheda’s stunning injury-time winner, Ronaldo’s brace had all but become a footnote in the game between Manchester United and Aston Villa last night.

While he has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, Ronaldo has been a shadow of the player he was last season after the summer transfer debacle with Real Madrid.

And now with rumours surfacing again on Ronaldo’s departure to the Bernabeu at the end of this season, it would be time to reflect on this season and wonder again if keeping Ronaldo at Old Trafford is really worth all the trouble?

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: Just go, Ronaldo. Go straight to Real – do not pass ‘Go’, do not collect $200 and please, don’t trip over air and try to look for a free-kick.

Is Jose Mourinho the right man for United?

(Image source: BBC)

MANCHESTER United defender Rio Ferdinand believes that Jose Mourinho has the right qualities to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford when the fiery Scot finally calls it a day, which could be the end of this season if United successfully defends their Premiership and European titles.

Ferdinand, an influential player in the dressing room, believes that the Portuguese has the “ego and personality” to continue Ferguson’s 23 years of good work at United.

Ferguson himself is on very good terms with the flamboyant Mourinho and rates him highly as a manager.

Is Inter the best club for Tevez?

ARGENTINA legend and national coach Maradona has advised Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez to move on to save his international career, specifically to Inter Milan where former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has taken charge.

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: It seems increasingly likely that Tevez may move on from Old Trafford, even though he is a fans’ favourite. But if he does move, is Inter the right club for the young Argentinian?

The good news is, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only “untouchable” in a front-line that sometimes goes up to three strikers. Adriano, the Swede’s usual strike partner, could be on his way out following speculation of a bust-up with Mourinho earlier this season.

And with Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz already reaching his mid-30s, and Mario Barotelli and Victor Nsofor Obinna barely out of their teens, Tevez could be the perfect blend of youth and experience that Mourinho can use up front.

Terry-able against United

MANCHESTER United consigned Chelsea to their heaviest defeat at Old Trafford last night with a 3-0 victory over the Blues, with goals coming from Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: What was more worrying was how Chelsea conceded the goals, even with their first-choice central defensive pairing of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho back. All three goals, plus the disallowed header by Cristiano Ronaldo came from crosses from the flanks.

By most accounts, Terry and Carvalho would have eaten up these crosses easily, especially the England captain, whose superb aerial ability is reknown. So what happened last night?

Will Tevez stay or go?

CARLOS Tevez has put his future at risk by lashing out on suggestions that he has rejected an offer with Manchester United. (Read here)

“I didn’t like him (Ferguson) saying I didn’t like the offer I was made because neither my agent nor me were given one,” he was quoted as saying. “I want to stay but the club have not made any offer. I’ve been waiting for them for a year and a half.”

More ominously, he added: “If I have to quit the club, I want to quit on good terms. Now all clubs are on an equal footing. If a club comes to me and offers me a five-year deal, I will accept it for peace of mind.”

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: Throughout this whole contract saga, Tevez has been hitting the right notes, maintaining his silence over the wrangle and reiterating his desire to stay with the English and European champions.

But it is this little hint of frustration that might see his future at Old Trafford cut short. After all, Sir Alex Ferguson is not one to suffer public criticism from his own players.

Just look at the recent list of ex-players who spoke out – Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jaap Stam and Roy Keane, they all found themselves shown the exit faster than you can say “flying tea cup”.