Cup Win Won't Affect League

Last weekend’s Manchester derby won’t have any affect on the title race, according to Rio Ferdinand.

The Reds beat City 3-2 in the FA Cup third round, knocking the current holders out of the competition at the first hurdle, prompting some to suggest the balance of power in Manchester has shifted back to Sir Alex’s men.

“I don’t think it’s advantage United now,” Rio said. “It’s too early to say. We’re all around the same area and fighting for the same thing. You all have your peaks and troughs in the season.”

Ferdinand and his team-mates went into that game in a trough of their own, after consecutive defeats against Newcastle and Blackburn. But the Reds defender insists spirits in the United camp remained high over the New Year period, despite the poor results.

“You always know there will be ups and downs during the season,” he said. “We had a bad week the one before [the City game], losing two games. But there is no better game to come back than Manchester City. It was a great first-half.

“In the second we took our foot off the gas and let them back in the game, but the result is the most important thing and we got through to the next round.

“Hopefully Manchester City and Tottenham will experience lows that go on a lot longer and we can get a few players back from injury and push on.”

The treatment room at Carrington has certainly been full in recent weeks, with the injury list inching into double figures on more than one occasion.

That cast of walking wounded includes long-term absentees Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher... and yet Sir Alex’s men remain just three points off the top of the league.

“If any other squad in the league had the same amount of players out that we have had, they wouldn't be sitting where we are. That speaks volumes for our squad and that’s why when I am in the changing room I’m more than happy with the people I see around me.

“[That said,] a level of consistency in team selection is good for the manager. When we’ve been successful at this club we’ve always had a steady nucleus of players who have played most of the games. The sooner we can get back to that the better.”

Rio was speaking to ManUtd.com, Press Association and Key103.