With Manchester Utd already qualified for the next stage of the Champions League, boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking to rest certain players. Rio Ferdinand understands his manager's logic but says it still does not make the frustration disappear.

He said: "Players do not just accept they will miss games. I like playing. When the manager told me I was not playing last Wednesday, I still wanted to.

"It's a chance to win another trophy and you want to be involved. I actually prefer to play two games a week.

"We are used to it and you get the momentum of playing every week. Missing matches is not something I rub my hands about."