Manchester United have confirmed Rio Ferdinand will be available for
Saturday's crunch Premier League showdown with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite being named captain, Ferdinand was substituted during last weekend's
4-1 win over Middlesbrough, apparently uninjured.
Reports have surfaced suggesting the 28-year-old had been sent for a scan
after a recurrence of the groin problem he sustained at the end of last season
and ruled him out of key England games against Brazil and Estonia.
United have officials have opted not to outline the results of the scan, or
indeed confirm whether Ferdinand actually had one.
But, in a statement, the Red Devils claim the England defender will face the
Gunners this weekend as they look to open up a three-point lead at the top of
the table.
'Manchester United have confirmed that Rio Ferdinand is fit to face Arsenal
on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium,' read the statement.
'Reports in Tuesday's press claimed the Reds defender has experienced a
recurrence of an old groin injury and would miss the key Premier League clash.
'However, the influential 28-year-old centre-back trained with the rest of
the squad at Carrington on Tuesday, and is considered fully fit and ready to
play against the Gunners.'
It is good news for Sir Alex Ferguson, who yesterday saw midfielder Paul
Scholes ruled out for three months after being forced to undergo knee surgery.
However, with Owen Hargreaves returning to duty on Saturday and both Michael
Carrick and Gary Neville set to make their comebacks after recent lay-offs, it
does appear United's early season injury problems are easing.
