Back injury may keep Ferdinand out for up to eight weeks

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could be out for up to eight weeks with a worrying back injury and now anxious team physios are demanding he gets the rest and treatment he needs to cure the problem.

Ferdinand may need to see a specialist after being left out of United's 2-0 Premier League triumph over Blackburn yesterday.

His back ailment has affected his running, but Ferdinand had soldiered on bravely despite being less than 75 per cent fit because of his desire to help the club, News of the World reports. The news of his injury comes as former England boss Graham Taylor claimed the United superstar had "lost his legs."

Ferdinand had been criticised over Fernando Torres' goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win over United last week and his performance for England against the Ukraine. "He struggled to keep up with Torres and I just don't think he is - or will be - the wonderful player he once was," the sources said.

But sources at Old Trafford insist there is no concern about his form. An Old Trafford insider revealed: "All Rio wants to do is play pain free. This injury first flared up before United's Champions League quarter-final against Porto last season and it has gradually got worse." United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is also furious that Ferdinand's form is being questioned.