New Delhi: Michael Carrick has hailed the fact that Manchester United skipper Rio Ferdinand will be fit for the club's trip to Arsenal for Tuesday night for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, asserting that the centre-back is a vital cog in United's defensive machine.
Ferdinand missed United's weekend victory over Middlesbrough, and was coughing up blood after bruising a lung during the first leg against the Gunners a week ago.
He is fine now though, and Carrick is delighted that such an inspirational figure will return to the line-up for a game that is so key to the Red Devils' season.
"Rio has grown," Carrick told Sky Sports News. "He has the experience of playing at the top level for a number of years. Only certain players in the squad have the presence he has. It makes a difference when he is there."
Five away games in this season's Champions League have seen United concede only one goal, and manager Alex Ferguson was equally pleased to have Ferdinand available, as defending well away from home is so important in Europe.
"It is a different game nowadays," Ferguson said. "You must have a far better concentration in defence now, as we did in Porto. We need that kind of performance again tomorrow night. We are capable of it. When my defenders really concentrate and when they are really ready for the big games they are usually very good."
More on Goal.com
Champions League preview: Arsenal - Manchester UnitedKey personal battles: Arsenal - Manchester UnitedCan Cristiano Ronaldo redeem Real Madrid?
Comments
0 comment