Ferguson Will Keep Playing Rio
By Chris O'Brien
December 22 2003
Sir Alex Ferguson has announced he will continue to start Rio Ferdinand in the United line-up despite his 8-month ban for missing a drugs test looming large. United play 5 matches before the ban starts on the 12th January, with United set to appeal the length of the suspension before that date.
| Ferguson Will Keep Playing Rio |
| Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he
will continue playing £30million signing Rio Ferdinand for as long as
possible, despite the 8-month ban the English international received for
missing a random drugs test looming large.
The former Leeds United centre-half was hit by the ban last Friday, but was still selected for the visit to White Hart Lane two days later. Rio put in a solid performance at the back, with the fantastic vocal support of the travelling United fans helping through an emotional 90 minutes. United are set to appeal the lengthy suspension, but for now Ferdinand is set to be unavailable for selection for either club or country for 8 months starting in mid-January. "I was very pleased with Rio, I think it was the best
thing to play him," said Ferguson. "He has formed a great partnership with Mikael Silvestre at the back, and they work well with Howard so why should I change it?" added the Scotsman. United have 5 more games before Rio's ban officially starts, with the Red Devils taking on Everton, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United in the Premiership before January 12th, and Aston Villa in the FA Cup. However, due to the inevitability of an appeal, the date Ferdinand's ban begins is more than likely to be moved on several occasions! |