Rio Ferdinand sparks fitness scare at Manchester United

LOSER: Rio Ferdinand You're captain of your country and one of the most respected defenders in the Premier League. Now you're not. Injuries caught up with Rio Ferdinand this year, and his lack of games were enough for Fabio Capello to unceremoniously stri (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has sparked a fitness scare ahead of the Red Devils' Premier League encounter with Bolton on Saturday by hinting he has been struck down by a stomach virus.

For obvious reasons, Sir Alex Ferguson is not normally too keen for his players to discuss any club-related business on their Twitter sites.

However, Ferdinand informed his 1.8million followers this morning he had a disturbed night's sleep and blamed a stomach problem for his discomfort.

"When your stomach is making more moves than a gymnast you know its gonna be a long night," he said. "it was a long night I must say!"

Ferdinand offered no further observations on the matter and it is not known whether his place in the United side this weekend is at risk.

However, with an horrendous injury list only just starting to ease thanks to the return of Chris Smalling in last Sunday's FA Cup win over Manchester City, it would be a blow for Ferguson if his most experienced defender was unavailable.

With City not in action until Monday, United would move level on points with their neighbours if they win, although as the goal difference gap widened to 11 following their 3-0 defeat at Newcastle last week, it is impossible to believe the Old Trafford outfit could secure top spot.

Meanwhile, Ravel Morrison's short United career seems certain to come to an end this summer.

The 18-year-old has long been regarded as a young player of immense promise, only for his talent to become clouded by a series of damaging off-field incidents that have landed him in trouble with the police.

Nevertheless, with his contract due to expire in the summer, it was anticipated Morrison would be offered an extension and, judging by the way he swiftly denied rumours he wore a Manchester City shirt in a kickabout with some friends, he evidently still has high regard for United.

However, it is beyond question that, after starring in last term's FA Youth Cup-winning success, Morrison has failed to make the progress many were anticipating this season.

Despite having his squad ravaged by injury, Ferguson has opted against calling on Morrison, whose only first-team appearances remain as substitute in the two Carling Cup encounters with Aldershot and Crystal Palace.

Nineteen next month and currently free to talk to clubs abroad, Morrison has noted the impact Paul Scholes' decision to come out of retirement is likely to have on his short-term career prospects.

A source close to the player insists "he just wants to play".

That looks increasingly unlikely at United though and the absence of any contract offer, although it has been pointed out talks have not stalled because they never opened, is leading increasingly to the conclusion that Morrison's future is away from the club.

Not that any of this will have much effect on Antonio Valencia, who excelled at the weekend after being shifted out of his role as makeshift full-back.

Wayne Rooney has always appreciated the South American's straightforward approach to wing play and it is little surprise the pair immediately combined for United's first goal at the Etihad Stadium.

"When you do manage to put in good crosses and create goals, it does give you confidence," Valencia told www.manutd.com.

"And I feel more comfortable being back in my usual position.

"The manager asked me to fill in at right-back because two or three of my team-mates were injured.

"I was obviously happy to do that, especially when he mentioned that it was only for a brief period!

"But I am more comfortable in my own position."

PA