United's Ferdinand aggravates injury

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has aggravated a groin injury and is doubtful for the Premier League leaders' match at home to struggling Sheffield United on Tuesday, the club said on Sunday.

The England defender came off during the first half of United's 4-1 victory over Watford in their FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday.

Ferdinand had been a doubt for that game after picking up a groin strain during the 7-1 rout of AS Roma at Old Trafford in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

His setback adds to United's defensive difficulties with captain Gary Neville, Mikael Silvestre, Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea also nursing injuries.