Ferdinand a doubt for Boro match
Defender Rio Ferdinand is a major doubt for Manchester United's Premier League trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The England star picked up a rib injury on Wednesday against Arsenal in the Champions League and is likely to miss the 1245 BST kick-off.
"I will bring some freshness into the team. The defence will be the same, apart from Rio, but the midfield and forwards could change completely."
If Ferdinand has broken a rib, he could miss the remainder of the season.
The 30-year-old has put in 40 appearances in all this season and has been a major factor in a United defence which has conceded just 23 League goals.
However, Nemanja Vidic seems likely to be partnered in the centre of defence by someone else on Saturday after Ferdinand left the field in some discomfort towards the end of Wednesday's match.
That person would probably be Jonny Evans, with Ferguson keen to keep John O'Shea at right-back, where he performed well at Old Trafford.
I don't think he will start but he will play some part
Sir Alex Ferguson on Wes Brown
Wes Brown, who has come through a couple of reserve team appearances since returning to action after a foot problem, will be on the bench at the Riverside, Ferguson revealing he intended to introduce the England defender at some point.
"Wes has been training with the first team and has played two reserve games," said Ferguson.
"He was with the squad today and there is a definite possibility he could play some part of the game on Saturday. I actually think it is important. I don't think he will start but he will play some part."
Ferguson needs to utilise his squad on Teesside as, with the second leg of their semi-final at the Emirates Stadium looming on Tuesday, he cannot afford to risk all his key men again.
"I do not think it is right that we have a lunchtime kick-off at Middlesbrough," he reflected.
He suggested Arsenal, who also play on Saturday, could afford to rest any number of players at Portsmouth before the two teams meet again on Tuesday, when the Gunners will try to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
"They can play (assistant manager) Pat Rice at right-back and (manager) Arsene Wenger at centre-forward on Saturday," said Ferguson. "We have to play a team to win the game."
Liverpool - three points behind United having played an extra match - need Ferguson's team to slip up, and then beat Newcastle themselves on Sunday - to get back into the Premier League title hunt.
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