Predictably the Football Association have thrown out Rio Ferdinand’s appeal against his charge for violent conduct and rubbed salt into the wound by slapping an extra match ban for a “frivolous” appeal.
Ferdinand will now sit out of Sunday’s trip to the Emirates in addition to further league encounters with Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton.
According to Alex Ferguson, Nemanja Vidic is on course to return after the Arsenal game to help plug the gap left by Rio’s absence. That could see Wes Brown recalled from the bench to partner Jonny Evans on Sunday, although Vidic was on the United bench in last night’s Carling Cup semi, indicating that he could well be ready to make a return at the Emirates. Evans should remain a good option regardless. He seems set to continue alongside Vidic for the duration of Ferdinand’s ban with Brown benched as he was against Hull. That could see him earn some fantasy investment in Evans in the coming gameweeks.