Ferdinand injured at the Riverside

The Manchester United central defender and current England captain sustained the injury, which will almost certainly rule him out of tomorrow's Champions League game at home to Roma, during a thrilling 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough. The result against opposition still not mathematically safe from relegation was an unscheduled stumble for Sir Alex Ferguson's side and cuts their lead at the top of the Premier League to three points. United's visit to Stamford Bridge on April 26 has assumed the feel of a potential title decider and it was telling that Ferguson afterwards displayed a rare touch of insecurity, reflecting: "Our goal difference is good."

His side were not expected to need to rely on goal difference to recapture the championship but the injury that has put Nemanja Vidic out for around three weeks is suddenly emphasising just how important the Serbian centre half is to their cause. Ferguson described United's defending without him as "haphazard".