THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

"We'll need to assess the situation. It may not end with the
FA - we may have to go to court and he's got a right to go
to court to protect his reputation. The club would certainly
support him. We were never going to say anything in
immediate response to whatever the FA's verdict was because
that would be unwise.

"We would just take stock of the situation and just see
where we're going from there."

Rio played yesterday and Fergie sees no reason why he
shouldn’t have:

“I was very pleased with Rio, I think it was the best thing
to play him. I think he acquitted himself very well. The boy
merits his position in the team because of his performances.
Since it happened (the FA charge over the missed drugs test)
he has got better and better.

“He and Mikael Silvestre have formed a fantastic partnership
and together with the form of (goalkeeper) Tim Howard they
have provided a good backbone - so why should I change it?

“It was closer than I wanted. From a position where we were
in good control for the game Spurs upped their tempo in the
second half. Nonetheless I thought we were still in control
but we were scrambling to get three points. There was a
confidence and good rhythm about our game, the experienced
players of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were
fantastic.

“Historically we have always had determination in the second
half of the season and I hope we keep those stats right,' he
added. 'The important thing is to be there at the end of the
year.”