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?

Does Giggs deserve the PFA Player of the Year award this season?

VETERAN Manchester United player Ryan Giggs won the PFA Player of the Year award last night (Singapore time), one of the few awards that the Welshman had not won in his glittering career.

The 35-year-old beat United teammates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar, as well as Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard to the award, adding to his two PFA young player awards among other team accolades.

While few will argue that the United vice-captain deserves some form of recognition for his achievements – he has 10 league titles to his name, and has won 4 FA Cups, 3 League Cups and the Champions League twice in his 17-year United career – but does Giggs deserve the award this season?

How can United beat Porto at home tomorrow morning?

LIVERPOOL almost did it this morning, the question now is – can United muster one of their legendary comebacks against Porto tomorrow morning?

While the task that lies ahead of United does not seem as insurmountable as Liverpool’s – who had to win by at least three goals; or two goals, provided Liverpool scored four or more.

In contrast, United are going into the second leg level at 2-2, but the thing is: Porto have not lost to British opposition in the competition in 21 games. That is a record stretching back in 1967!

So if you were Sir Alex Ferguson, how would you line up your team tomorrow night to ensure United’s passage through to the next round?

Do bear in mind these facts:

– Rio Ferdinand is back in contention after injury, but could be rusty.
– Darren Fletcher has been ruled out by injury
– Anderson and Dimitar Berbatov are available
– Frederico Macheda scored two goals in two games, both coming on as late substitutes
– Cristiano Ronaldo has been lacklustre at best, although occasional flashes of brilliance saw him scoring goals against Aston Villa
– Gary Neville’s age and lack of pace was cruelly exposed by Hulk in the first leg

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.

Who can be the solution to England’s central defensive problems?

Who is a worthy cover for Terry and Ferdinand in the England team? (Picture: AP)

SPURS captain Ledley King caused the FA much embarrassment yesterday evening (Singapore time) when he withdrew from the England squad amid recommendations from both England and Spurs doctors.

The 28-year-old, who is considered as a ball-playing alternative to Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, has been plagued with injuries throughout his playing career, and has a long-term left knee injury that prevents him from training in between games.

King’s pullout accentuates a perennial problem that the England team faces: the lack of match-fit centrebacks.

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.

Are the English clubs heading for a slaughter tomorrow morning?

CHAMPIONS League action returns tomorrow morning (Singapore time), as Italian clubs Inter Milan and Roma face off against English clubs Manchester United and Arsenal.

While English football seem to be on the ascent, with three of last season’s Champions League semi-finalists hailing from England, tomorrow’s fixtures could prove tricky for both United and Arsenal.

United’s defence is decimated by injuries – with Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra the only fully fit and eligible defenders available. With Anderson still out through injury, United could be forced to draft Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher into defence, or rush John O’Shea and Jonny Evans back from injury.

On the other hand, Inter are riding high on top of the Serie A table, with Jose Mourinho managing to bring the best out of Adriano, who seemed to be on his way out of the club earlier this season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reaching the peak of his career, while Mourinho has an excellent track record against Alex Ferguson, winning five of their 10 Premiership encounters when he was at Chelsea.

In the other “Italy v England” game, Arsenal’s midfield is decimated by long-term injuries. Cesc Fabregas, Eduardo, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott are all out, while Andrei Arshavin is cup-tied, leaving a shaky midfield core of Denilson and Alexandre Song. That, and the fact that Arsenal’s goals have dried up of late, is hardly comforting for any fans of the London club.

Roma will probably play their usual 4-6-0 formation, choking the midfield while constantly rotating the targetman, with Francesco Totti pulling the strings.

Will the English clubs survive the Italian onslaught tomorrow morning? I hope not, but I am not holding my breath on that.

Who will partner Rio on Wednesday?

DEFENDING European champions Manchester United travel to the San Siro this Wednesday morning (Singapore time) with just one fit centreback eligible to face Inter Milan, after Jonny Evans limped out in the second half against Blackburn.

Nemanja Vidic is suspended, following his red card at the World Club Cup last December, while club captain Gary Neville is still suffering from a virus and a strained leg. Wes Brown is also out, after breaking his metatarsal in training earlier this month.

John O’Shea is still doubtful, and the United medical staff are working overtime to get the Irishman’s heel in shape for the Inter game.

If that does not fall through, any one of these senior United players should get the job of partnering Rio Ferdinand in defence – Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and the young Rafael.

Who would it be?

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: My pick would be Fletcher, if the rest don’t come through by Tuesday. The Scot has faced much criticism for his inconsistent performances over the past few seasons, but the 25-year-old has come through for United this season, shining in the early parts of the season where the champions were struggling to find their feet.

Injuries to cost United titles?

ANDERSON and Rafael limped off after Manchester United’s Carling Cup win over Derby this morning, joining the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves on the treatment table, among others.

This may prove crucial in the coming months, especially since they are still in contention for the Premier League title, FA Cup, Carling Cup and the Champions League title, especially since they are only starting to kick into gear right now.

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: This does not bode well for United, who are already suffering from Cristiano Ronaldo’s indifferent form and Dimitar Berbatov’s occasional flashes of brilliance.

United fans would pray that the Bulgarian and Carlos Tevez do not injure themselves before Wayne Rooney returns, or before Ronaldo finds his spark again. Otherwise, they may find Liverpool pipping them to the title come May.