Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will miss Sunday's Carling Cup final because of a back injury.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said the centre-back "felt a twinge in his back" while training and could not be risked in Tuesday's win over West Ham.

"He's had these before. He won't be playing on Sunday," said Ferguson.

Ferdinand, 31, replaced John Terry as England captain this month but may now not make the squad - to be announced on Sunday - for the friendly with Egypt.

"Rio has been training great - there had been no mishaps at all," said Ferguson, whose team face Aston Villa at Wembley in Sunday's final.

United striker Wayne Rooney added: "We'll see how it is. We know if Rio is fit, he's a top player."

When asked if he might lead England next week if Ferdinand is unavailable, the striker added: "It'd be nice, but Steven Gerrard's vice-captain so it would probably go to him."

Ferdinand had been eligible to play in Tuesday's Premier League game against the Hammers after serving a four-match suspension.

The former West Ham defender was handed a three-game ban, increased to four after making a "frivolous appeal" against it, for violent conduct during a league match at Hull City on 23 January.

That encounter was Ferdinand's first match after a three-month absence because of injury problems.

He had not played since United's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on 25 October and fears had grown over his long-term fitness.

England's game against Egypt at Wembley on 3 March is the final friendly before manager Fabio Capello names his provisional squad for this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Source:BBC Sport

DARREN FLETCHER has revealed he came close to leaving Manchester United.
The Scot is now a key midfielder for Alex Ferguson's reigning Premier League champions.

But 18 months ago it was a different story, with Fletcher considering a move away from Old Trafford.

He said: "I was still having doubts because I was in a fairly strong position with only a year left to run on my contract.

"If there was a time to leave it would have been a good opportunity.

"But the manager came to me. The contract talk was put to one side and our discussion was mainly about playing time.

"He said there had been offers but he didn't want me to go.

"I listened to what he had to say and just decided I did have a future at the club.

"Deep down I just wanted to show what I was capable of.

"It was never a case of going on to the pitch worried but maybe it wasn't coming across on the pitch.

"I would have hated to leave having not shown people what I could do.

"That would have been a genuine disappointment, something I would have looked back on and regretted.

"That is what drove me on and what I want to keep maintaining now because I want to be here for the rest of my career.

"I want to leave some sort of mark on the club."


taking time out from my busy day :grin: i came across this lol

Keith Harris, who claims to have a group of investors ready to buy Manchester United, has called on the club's fans to force current owners, the Glazer family, into selling.

Harris says he has a British-based group of investors, who are ready to buy United - if the Glazers make the club available.

United's supporters have always been against the Glazers' ownership of the club, but most recently have stepped up their campaign against them - notably ditching the club's red and white colours in favour of green and gold.

But Harris wants more, insisting fans should boycott matches.

"Turning up to games 10 minutes late and things like that just doesn't do the job," Harris said.

"The green and gold protest is fabulous, a symbolic and significant message to the owners. It is like the white handkerchiefs in Spain. But that won't force the Glazers to sell to us.

"However, if enough people - and I am talking about thousands - stop turning up to matches and do not renew their tickets, then that does it. The supporters have to hurt the Glazers in their pockets.

"They have to be prepared to take the pain of not watching their club in order to achieve a long-term gain. Supporters have to be galvanised to say, 'We will not come. We will not buy programmes and merchandise'.

"It's a big ask, it's a risk, but that is what must happen. The Glazers are thick-skinned and seem impervious to protest. They will not be impervious to enormous drops in their revenue.

"I would not talk about this if I didn't have full confidence in our ability to raise the money to do this. I never talk publicly unless I have confidence. Getting the money together is the easy bit.

"But we can't make an offer until the Glazers are placed in a position where they are forced to consider it."


probably gonna get some stick for posting this but, i agree with it even if i dont like it! the glazers need to be shown!!!

i doub it will ever happen either as like ppl have already said if ppl ont renew there tickets there are hundreds of thousands that will take them over most of which want them for status symbols rather than being fans of the club!!!

Out of all the campaigns going on at the moment for the removal of the Glazers, only one truly stands out.

They all have their effect, don't get me wrong, but this one has more appeal above all the others and in my honest opinion, it will far outlast all the others as well.

The one I speak of is, the "Love United Hate Glazers" sticker campaign that has been going on for a while now. It has a romantic side that shines far above the others.

It's about a downtrodden people who will not give up their fight.

These sort of people fight against tyranny the world over. Their unrelenting sense of humour is priceless in any battle; it's the let's see where we can put a sticker for a laugh bunch are brilliant.

They make us think. They make us marvel at what they will do for their beliefs but most of all, they make us smile. These guys really are the heroes.

I can imagine this great group of people pissing themselves laughing as they go out on night raids, something even the SAS would be proud of.

To me, they are the best.

They are unthreatening.

They are peaceful and yet they have a romantic aura about them, like a modern day French Resistance, struggling against an invading force. They will not give up because now they have set the benchmark for themselves and others.

It's a challenge and that must be beaten.

So lookout where you walk around the world. When you see one of those familiar stickers, first think, why it is there?

Then, also have a smile when you see it because believe you me, someone did putting it there.

Leonardo has sensationally offered his resignation to AC Milan's board.



Defeat in the Champions League at home to Manchester United has sparked speculation that Milan patron Silvio Berlusconi is unhappy with the Brazilian.

“Our agreement was very clear,” insisted Leonardo. “The plans were laid down and I have no problems. If the President wants, I will step aside. All I need is the word.

“I have been here for 13 years in one role or another, so I’d have no problem terminating the contract. I would never allow this club to pay for two Coaches at once.

“In order to keep going forward, we need the most important thing: calm. For now I am focusing only on the squad.

“I remain relaxed, although I know these rumours cannot do the team any good. It’s not harming them either, as it’s a mature group of players, but I’d prefer to avoid this sort of thing.”

source: Tribalfootball.com