Ferdinand cleared to take on Arsenal on Tuesday

London, May 2 (ANI): Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is set to start for Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Arsenal, after fears were raised that the defender cracked a rib in their 1-0 first-leg victory over the Gunners.

Scans have cleared Ferdinand, and he should be all right for the Tuesday tie, The Sun reported.

"The good news is nothing is cracked or broken. He had bruising in the lung. Hopefully we can get him ready for Tuesday and there's a good chance of that," Boss Alex Ferguson said.

"When you see a player get a crack in the rib area you fear the worst. Fortunately that's passed over and he's almost back to normal."

Jonny Evans replaces England star Ferdinand for the leaders' clash with struggling Boro today. And whizkid striker Federico Macheda, 17, is in line for his first Premier League start as Ferguson shuffles his side ahead of Tuesday's big European date.

United are three points clear of rivals Liverpool, and Ferguson is convinced he has enough characters in his squad to make sure they stay ahead of the Merseysiders even if the title race goes to the last day of the season.

"Over the years there has been three or four times when we have needed to win our last game - and done it. So it tells you something about the quality of people we have," Ferguson said.

"I've been very lucky. Sometimes you drive players to the limit through your motivation. But when your players are self-motivated you have got the right people," he added (ANI)