United lapses a worry for Rio

MANCHESTER – Rio Ferdinand admits Manchester United’s recent defensive problems are causing concern ahead of the crucial, closing stages of the season.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s table-toppers face Premiership bottom club Watford at Old Trafford tonight anxious to keep a clean sheet for the first time since before Christmas. A late lapse in the FA Cup fourth round victory over Portsmouth last weekend allowed Kanu to deflect Pedro Mendes’s effort past Tomasz Kuszczak to end United’s hopes of maintaining a shut-out for the first time in seven games.Two goals from Wayne Rooney ensured the slip didn’t affect the final outcome of the tie that set the club up for a fifth round date with Reading.But United captain Gary Neville last week acknowledged that his team-mates cannot expect the side’s firepower to deliver two or three goals every match.And Neville’s back-four colleague Ferdinand agrees that defensive improvements must be made if they are to maintain the six-point advantage over second-placed reigning champions Chelsea at the head of the Premiership table.Watford will arrive in Manchester boosted by successive victories over Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.But Aidy Boothroyd’s side will almost certainly have cause to regret Rooney’s dramatic intervention as a second half substitute against Portsmouth.United manager Ferguson admitted he had originally planned to rest the England forward for the visit of Watford but may be forced into a rethink after the striker’s stunning 30-minute display.With Cristiano Ronaldo set to return after a week-long holiday in Dubai and Louis Saha fit again after recovering from a knee problem, Watford are likely to face the full force of Ferguson’s forward options.And their cause will not be helped by the enforced absence of on-loan keeper Ben Foster after United denied permission for the youngster to line-up against his full-time employers.Nampa-AFPA late lapse in the FA Cup fourth round victory over Portsmouth last weekend allowed Kanu to deflect Pedro Mendes’s effort past Tomasz Kuszczak to end United’s hopes of maintaining a shut-out for the first time in seven games.Two goals from Wayne Rooney ensured the slip didn’t affect the final outcome of the tie that set the club up for a fifth round date with Reading.But United captain Gary Neville last week acknowledged that his team-mates cannot expect the side’s firepower to deliver two or three goals every match.And Neville’s back-four colleague Ferdinand agrees that defensive improvements must be made if they are to maintain the six-point advantage over second-placed reigning champions Chelsea at the head of the Premiership table.Watford will arrive in Manchester boosted by successive victories over Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.But Aidy Boothroyd’s side will almost certainly have cause to regret Rooney’s dramatic intervention as a second half substitute against Portsmouth.United manager Ferguson admitted he had originally planned to rest the England forward for the visit of Watford but may be forced into a rethink after the striker’s stunning 30-minute display.With Cristiano Ronaldo set to return after a week-long holiday in Dubai and Louis Saha fit again after recovering from a knee problem, Watford are likely to face the full force of Ferguson’s forward options.And their cause will not be helped by the enforced absence of on-loan keeper Ben Foster after United denied permission for the youngster to line-up against his full-time employers.Nampa-AFP