Forever United

United have been boosted by the news that Rio Ferdinand could be fit to face Roma in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand had limped out of Sunday's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, but a scan on Monday confirmed he had not suffered a broken foot. Rio had missed training on Tuesday morning to have treatment on the injury, prompting suggestions that he would not be fit to face the Italians.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson says the influential centre-back is still in contention as United look to capitalise on a 2-0 first-leg win and book a place in the semi finals.

“We hope he is going to play,” said the Reds boss. “His scan was clear, which is good news. We hope that we can get him fit for the game."

Ferdinand will undergo a fitness test on Wednesday morning, when the decision will be taken whether to play the 29-year-old. Sir Alex added: “The players report to us at 11 o’clock on Wednesday morning, so he will have to do something then.”

There was further good news as the United manager revealed that Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre will both be involved in the squad, with one perhaps making the starting line-up. With some key injured players getting fit and ready to play the invincible United is looking even more deadly. The defence which was defintiely a concern for many with the absence of Vidic and Rio now looks to have got a definite boost with this news.

For Neville, it could be his first outing for the first-team in over a year since suffering ankle ligament damage against Bolton Wanderers in March last year.

“Gary and Mikael will be involved,” he added. “Both won’t start, but one may start depending on Rio’s situation. I’m hopeful that both players will get part of a game. The good thing is they are back and training very well.

“The best news we’ve had with Gary is that he has no interruptions. I’m very pleased with Gary’s progress and he has the ability to play in a match like Wednesday’s.

"We’ll make the decision in the morning, but by that time I could have five different teams!”

With a 2-0 advantage and Arsenal visiting Old Trafford on Sunday, the temptation could be to rest some key players. United will make changes, but not so much that it compromises a potential place in the semi finals.

“I’ve got to play a team that is going to win. It’s difficult to leave players like Cristiano Ronaldo out because of the form he is in.

"There will be one or two changes, but ones that we hope are sensible and will give us the result we want.