even a section of United fans, will allow anyone that
luxury.
Ferdinand:
"It doesn't matter how fit you are when you are running
around the training ground, games are totally different. No
matter what anyone says, it will take me a good few weeks
and a few games to get match fit again.
"Your breathing and movement in a match situation are not
the same. Nothing puts you in stead for a proper match and I
reckon it could take between two and five games for that to
come back. We will have to see how the appeal goes and then
we will take it from there."
Rio is struggling with the ban:
"I would be lying if I said I was enjoying it. It's been a
very difficult few months. My present situation is very
disappointing and immensely frustrating. People will say I
am having a holiday but it's not, I am working to stay fit.
I won't have a problem with my weight ballooning. I saw a
comment in a magazine the other day suggesting I would
balloon up but they don't know anything. I am a slim lad, so
I don't put weight on.
“The thing that's keeping me afloat is the banter amongst
the boys. It is important to stay with them and in a strange
kind of way I am enjoying watching them play.
"I'm going through the roof just like any fan. If someone
came and sat with me they would probably find it quite
funny. We have conceded more goals than we would like but
that is not down to any one player.
"It is harsh to be picking people out of a hat and saying it
is their fault. It is a collective thing. We concede and
score as a team. When we had the best defensive record last
season it wasn't because we had the best defence or a great
goalkeeper, it was because we had a great team unit.
"When things are going badly you have to take it on the chin
together."