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Crocked Rio has cracked rib

RIO FERDINAND will miss crucial games in Manchester United’s run-in and is a worry for England’s Euro 2008 double header with a cracked rib.

The defender is set to be sidelined for United’s next two games — Bolton at home tomorrow and Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

England coach Steve McClaren will also be sweating on his fitness for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel and Andorra the following week.

United are unlikely to release Ferdinand for international duty if he misses both their matches.

It is the latest blow in an injury crisis that threatens to derail United’s Treble bid.

Ferdinand, 28, suffered the rib problem in United’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Boro on Saturday.

And he missed their charity game against a European XI at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Boss Alex Ferguson will draft in Wes Brown as cover for Ferdinand.

As SunSport revealed on Wednesday, United will be without Mikael Silvestre for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

Keeper Edwin van der Sar is out for a fortnight with a calf injury, while strikers Ole Solskjaer and Louis Saha will not be fit until at least the end of this month.

Hitman Henrik Larsson has returned to Sweden after a three-month loan spell and midfielder Paul Scholes is banned for the next two games.

Fergie is already under immense pressure after Chelsea closed the gap at the top to just six points with victory at Manchester City on Wednesday.


As United lose key players, the Blues were boosted by the return of skipper John Terry.

Meanwhile, former United striker Diego Forlan has urged winger Cristiano Ronaldo to quit Old Trafford for Barcelona.

United want to tie the Portuguese maestro, 22, to a new long-term deal.

But Uruguay ace Forlan, who plays in Spain with Villarreal, said: “If Barca make him a good offer he will have no doubts about accepting it. He knows this league is one of the best in the world.”