Alex Ferguson has revealed that he expects Rio Ferdinand to be fit in six weeks time. Ferdinand suffered a knee ligament injury while in pre-World Cup training with England on 4 June, but in early July it was suggested by United that he might be fit for the opening Premier League game against Newcastle on 16 August.

However, Ferguson now estimates that it will take him longer. "Rio is probably around six weeks away from playing," he said. "he'll watch that game from the Manchester United Hospitality lounge."

That diagnosis would also make him a doubt for England's first two Euro 2012 qualifiers, against Bulgaria and Switzerland on 3 and 7 September respectively.

Ferdinand himself said today on his Twitter page that he would be "playing again" in six weeks and said he was starting rehab. "We put dates on these injury comebacks but sometimes the goalposts move a bit, as in this case," he added.

It must have been a real disappointment for England Captain, Ferdinand to not have played a part in the World Cup. His partnership with Vidic provided a stable platform on which United’s recent success has been built. Now he is determined to recreate that partnership again.

Ferdinand took no part in the team's four matches in South Africa after picking up knee ligament damage during a training session a week before their opening game against USA in Rustenburg. He flew home soon after the match, which ended 1-1, and was at that stage though to be facing several months out of action.

However, United feel confident that the 31-year-old will be available for their opening game of the 2010-11 campaign, which is against Newcastle on 14 August.

"A club spokesperson told ManUtd.com that a 10-week absence has been estimated for the defender, dating back to when his injury was sustained – on 4 June," read a statement on the club's website.

"On that basis, Ferdinand could be ready by 13 August – currently the eve of the first league game against Newcastle United at Old Trafford, although fixture changes for live television broadcasts have yet to be announced.

"If the Magpies clash is deemed slightly too soon for Rio, then other possible comeback games include Fulham away on the following weekend or the third league match at home to his old club West Ham, currently scheduled for Saturday 28 August."

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Manchester United and England captain Rio Ferdinand has revealed that missing out on Euro 2000 was a blessing in disguise.

The then West Ham United defender was snubbed by former England boss Kevin Keegan and Ferdinand has admitted his omission from the squad changed his outlook.

"I remember going running round the park near my mum's house with Carl Leaburn, who was a friend of the family, with the disappointment still in my head,” Ferdinand told the Daily Mail.

“I was embarrassed, my pride was hurt that I was not in the squad, and I had to sit and watch the team play while I was feeling in my head that I should be there.

"Then I looked at myself and said: 'Did you work hard enough to be there?'.

“Probably these lads [the seven who fail to make Fabio Capello's final 23-man squad] are in a different position and a different place to me, but that was my own experience."

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is sweating on the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday.

Ferdinand suffered a groin strain in the goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers, that has left the champions one point behind Chelsea in the title race, having played a game more.

The new England captain will be assessed on Tuesday, while Rooney was in training on Monday for treatment on his right ankle.

Assistant manager Mike Phelan believes other players have the opportunity to step up to the mark when key players like Rooney are unavailable. "This is Manchester United, with a lot of other quality players in the squad," Phelan told the Daily Mail.

"At times, you are going to miss people. When that happens, other people have to come to the front. They have to show the calibre that brought them to the club in the first place."

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is confident his recent injury woes are a thing of the past as this summer's World Cup draws closer. The centre-back has been plagued by a complex back problem over recent months that has caused a clutch of related injuries.

However, the United medical team have now pinpointed the problem and the England international believes his fitness should not be an issue as the business end of the season approaches. "Hopefully I've now got my finger on the pulse," Ferdinand told the Mail on Sunday.

"I am confident, I'm doing a lot of training in the rehab [rehabilitation] room and I do loads of stuff to prevent anything else happening. I'm feeling very good. It's just nice to be playing again. I am now playing two games in a week, yet in the last couple of months I've not been able to imagine playing once so it's good to be in this position."

Ferdinand has started just 13 times for the Red Devils this season but his timely return to the heart of their defence bodes well for a dramatic season finale. According to the sports betting, United are odds-on to win an unprecedented fourth title.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has questioned Rio Ferdinand's form amid reports that the defender could be dropped by club and country.

The England centre-back has come under scrutiny after a series of blunders over the past month, which have led to suggestions that he could be past his best.

Ferdinand gifted Craig Bellamy a goal in the Manchester derby in September and then his error led to England goalkeeper Robert Green being sent off against Ukraine at the start of October.

The 30-year-old was also at fault on Sunday when he could not match Fernando Torres for pace and power as the Spaniard scored Liverpool's opener in a 2-0 win.

As a result Ferguson has questioned whether Ferdinand, who has struggled with injuries, is producing the required displays to earn a place in the England squad for the 2010 World Cup.

The United boss said in The Sun: "He has to get good form. That's an important issue for the coach to pick the right team.

"In defence you've maybe got more options than other positions. He'll need to get his form right."

Rio Ferdinand has backed team-mate Antonio Valencia to have a big impact at Manchester United over the coming season.

The winger was signed from Wigan in the summer for £16million as Sir Alex Ferguson looked to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Following a subdued start to life at Old Trafford the Ecuador international has started to find his feet with the Premier League champions.

Having netted his first United goal at the weekend against Bolton, Valencia quickly grabbed his second in as many games when he scored the winner against CSKA Moscow in the Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.

"I think everyone is very pleased with what Antonio has done," Ferdinand said after the UEFA Champions League victory.

"He is always available, always backing himself on the ball and doesn't mind a bit of contact. He is a strong lad and that's what you want.

"He's playing well and I'm sure he will keep improving and keep scoring goals."

Comparisons with Ronaldo are inevitable but the two players' characteristics couldn't be further apart as Valencia proved with his low-key celebration in Moscow.

"He's a really humble and quiet lad. He comes in, does his work and goes home," Ferdinand added.

Rio Ferdinand has told Zoo he can't stand losing!

"I hate losing," he said. "When I lose a game, my parents can't get hold of me for days - I won't speak to them. They text me and say they know I'm upset but just want to say hello. And I won't have it - I'm a bad loser. Ask the groundsman or anyone.

"If I walk in from training and I've lost, I know people look at me and think, 'Yep, he lost today'. I can't help it."

And he also reveals in Zoo magazine how, as a spectator, he walked out of a ground last season before the final whistle to avoid embarrassing himself.

He recalled: "I was in the stands for our 2-1 win at Wigan, near the end of the season. They scored first and their fans were turning round and giving it this and that towards me. Then we scored and I was the loudest person in the directors' box. I turned to Darren Fletcher next to me and said, 'If they score again, I'm in trouble'.

"After our winner I left straight away. I had to because if I'd gone nuts and they scored again, I'd have been so embarrassed. I drove home, kept the radio off and texted a mate to see if we'd won. I'm a bad watcher, a bad loser... the lot."

Zoo magazine is on sale today.