Ferdinand winning his fitness battle

Champions League Final -  Barcelona v Manchester United:RIO FERDINAND eased any lingering fears about his fitness ahead of the Champions League final by coming through his most arduous training session since suffering the calf injury that jeopardised his appearance in Rome.

RIO FERDINAND eased any lingering fears about his fitness ahead of the Champions League final by coming through his most arduous training session since suffering the calf injury that jeopardised his appearance in Rome.

Ferdinand flew out with the rest of Alex Ferguson’s players yesterday after taking a full part in morning training. There was no apparent reaction to the problem that forced him to miss Manchester United’s past four matches.

United will train at the Stadio Olimpico tonight, and if Ferdinand is fully involved again he is expected to be declared fit to take over from Jonny Evans in the centre of defence against Barcelona, despite Ferguson’s misgivings about Ferdinand not having played since the second leg of the semi-final three weeks ago.

“It’s not the best situation,” Ferguson said, although the United manager is encouraged by the memory of Ferdinand fitting seamlessly back into the team – after a 24-day lay-off – in the 1-0 defeat of Porto in the second leg of the quarter-final.

“He’s very lucky that he’s a natural athlete, so that gives us hope,” Ferguson added.

Ferdinand’s availability would mean Ferguson can field essentially his first-choice team apart from the absence of Darren Fletcher, who would almost certainly have been involved were it not for the red card that tarnished United’s elimination of Arsenal.

Fletcher was with the squad when they left Manchester, travelling as a “fan”, and his team-mates are exploring ways to mark his contribution if they retain the trophy.

United, however, will refrain from offering Fletcher the opportunity to collect the medal that goes to an ambassador of the club.

Bobby Charlton received this honour after last season’s final against Chelsea, who sent their chief executive, Peter Kenyon, up the steps to collect theirs. United must choose whether Charlton should be their representative once again, although Bryan Robson or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might get the chance this time.

Carlos Tevez says he wants to help the club retain the Champions League before giving any further thought to his future.

It is expected Tevez will leave Old Trafford next month, once his two-year loan deal expires.

United chief executive David Gill is planning more talks with Tevez’s advisor, Kia Joorabchian, before the Argentina star finally resolves his future but the indications for weeks have been a complete break is the likely outcome.

The major stumbling block appears to be United’s refusal to pay the final instalment of an agreed €36 million transfer of the player’s registration, even though Tevez wants to stay.

However, the 25-year-old is determined to put discussion about his future on hold until the club’s European fate is sealed.

“I want to win the European Cup for the club and the fans,” he said. “After that we will talk about the future. I really like it here and want to be part of the success but right now I don’t want anything to distract me from my football.”

Tevez is in the happy position of counting both contenders for the title of best player in the world as team-mates.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been aiding United’s quest for an unprecedented double double, while Barca’s Lionel Messi will also be part of the Argentina squad aiming to win the next World Cup in South Africa.

Diplomatically, Tevez refuses to split them, although it is clear the winner of their personal duel stands an excellent chance of lifting the European Cup tomorrow night.

“Everybody considers them to be the best football players in the world,” said Tevez.

“Some people will say Messi is the best and some people will say Ronaldo is the best. For me, they are both as special as each other.

“To have them both on the same pitch should be great entertainment for the fans.”

While Ferdinand appears to be winning his fitness battle, Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta have both given Barcelona hope that they will be fit after taking part in the club’s final training session before flying to Rome yesterday.

In both cases, however, the players were limited to a restricted programme of exercises, and the coach, Pep Guardiola, admitted he is uncertain whether they will be ready in time.

“They are working well and I think they will be able to play,” midfielder Xavi said yesterday. “We are a better team if they can.”

Xavi said Barcelona have not practised penalty-taking in case of a shootout in the final.

“It would be a bit daft as you don’t get matchday tension in training,” he said, though he admitted he would be willing to step up. “I like taking on the responsibility at times like that and I’m one of the players who usually takes them.”

Xavi said Barca did not practise spot kicks before the King’s Cup final against Athletic Bilbao, which they won 4-1 two weeks ago.

Guardian Service