World Of Sports

Rio Ferdinand provided manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a new injury concern after limping off in Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

The England defender left The Riverside with his foot in a protective plastic case as a precaution.

"Hopefully it's not serious but he was limping for too long," said Ferguson, who is without fellow central defender Nemanja Vidic for two to three weeks.

"The danger was to keep him on when he was limping and not at his full level."

With Vidic sidelined and crucial Premier League games against Arsenal, Blackburn and Chelsea following Wednesday's Champions League return match against Roma, Ferguson can ill afford to be without his other first-choice central defender.

Having not conceded a goal in 461 minutes of league football before Sunday, United looked far more vulnerable with Wes Brown alongside Ferdinand at centre-back and John O'Shea at right-back.

But Ferguson took heart from the display of Gerard Pique, who replaced Ferdinand.

"Pique came on and did absolutely terrific, he was absolutely marvellous and I think that helped us actually," Ferguson said.

The draw with Boro leaves United only three points ahead of Chelsea, who they play at Stamford Bridge on 26 April, and six points ahead of Arsenal, who they play on Sunday.

But Ferguson believes the result could yet turn out to be a title-clincher.

"That point could be important, absolutely," he said. "Our goal difference is good obviously, but we cannot take anything for granted.

"I said some weeks ago consistency will win us it and I think the most consistent team will do that - and I hope that it's us.

"We could have lost the game, there's no question. They had some chances - and at times our defending was a bit haphazard, I thought.

"But at other moments we could have won the game, because some of the quality of our football was terrific.

"The nature of the club is that we never give in, and that's a great quality to have at this time of year.

"It sends out a signal to everyone that we will never give in. We will stretch ourselves in every game as long as we can."