Rio Out

Scans have confirmed that Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand did not break his metatarsal at Middlesbrough.

The 29-year-old centre-back, who captained England against France at the end of March, was forced off after 70 minutes of the weekend's 2-2 draw at the Riverside.

He was seen leaving the ground with a protective cast on his left foot, but fears over his fitness have since been allayed by medical tests carried out by the club on Monday.

United are yet to reveal any further information regarding the extent of his injury, but young Spanish defender Gerard Pique filled in for Ferdinand on Sunday and could be called upon again for the club's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Roma on Wednesday.