Prove your fitness: Ferguson tells Ferdinand

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been told to prove his fitness in Sunday’s league game against Hull or risk missing out on a starting place in the side to take on Barcelona in next week’s Champions League final in Rome.

The England centre-back has missed the last three matches since sustaining a calf injury in the Champions League semi-final second leg victory over Arsenal at the Emirates on May 5.

Ferguson says he would prefer the 30-year-old plays against Hull in the final league game of the season and thus avoid him having to make a difficult decision ahead of Rome.

“I am hoping he will be fit for Sunday, if not he is doubtful for Wednesday that is for sure,” said the United manager.

“I think he needs a game going into the Champions League final because him having not played for three weeks is too much.

“The plan is for him to start training with us tomorrow and once we get football training we will have a better idea of his availability for Sunday.

“I think he is probably fit to play Wednesday but whether I would start him without a game is another matter.”