Grieving Rio tests Fergie's patience

Ferdinand was, it must be said, not breaking any club curfew when he chose to hit the town on Monday night. Most football clubs only insist on their players staying home for 48 hours before a match.

Nor was there any indication that he had been drinking heavily - if, indeed, at all. It is unlikely he will be fined.

But having been granted time off on compassionate grounds and with a potentially decisive meeting with Premiership rivals Arsenal awaiting United at Old Trafford on Sunday, Ferguson will be disappointed that his most expensive player could not find somewhere more appropriate to hang out than the dance floor of a trendy night spot.

Yesterday there was no comment from United on the issue. It is not their style. Nor is Ferdinand's place in Sunday's team in doubt.

But Ferguson will not be impressed. Nor will team-mates like Roy Keane, who missed the trip to Prague with 'flu but probably would have played with a hot water bottle strapped to his chest if he had felt it would benefit the team cause.

Whether he knows it or not, Ferdinand still has some repair work to do to his reputation at United.

He may be a fine player but many supporters remain unconvinced of his commitment and, if he has any sense of responsibility at all, he should have felt more than a little embarrassed when he rejoined his team-mates for training at their Carrington headquarters yesterday lunchtime. Ahead of Sunday's meeting with Arsene Wenger's unbeaten champions, United know that their title credentials remain in danger of early collapse.

Already 11 points behind Arsenal, United need to win to prevent the north London club reaching a milestone of 50 Premiership games unbeaten and to claw back lost ground at the top of the table.

Much will depend on Ferguson's team selection and, in the wake of the Scot's admission that he has contributed to his problems by failing to field a settled team, it has emerged that his concerns are shared by his playing squad.

It is understood that a group of United's senior players have been bemused by Ferguson's uncharacteristic policy of changing his team around this season and believe it has undermined their campaign.

Having drawn 0-0 at Birmingham on Saturday, several players spoke privately to each other of their frustration and were subsequently relieved to hear their manager state that he was determined to settle on a regular first team.

In Prague on Tuesday, however, Ferguson made another seven changes - only two of them enforced - and it is clear that his selection for Sunday's meeting with Arsenal is vital.

Last night defender Gary Neville paid tribute to Arsenal's recent success but reminded Wenger's side that they failed to beat United in three attempts last season.

Neville said: 'Over the last one and a half to two years they have been in fantastic form. You have to give them credit - but they have not beaten Manchester United.

'They are a great team but we are confident in our abilities to play the best teams. Hopefully we can try to put doubts in their minds.'