Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that centre-back Rio Ferdinand remains in his plans for the future.

A succession of back and hamstring injuries have led to speculation that Ferguson may opt to sell Ferdinand in the summer.

However, the boss has revealed that the 33-year-old will stay at Old Trafford, as long as the player feels he is able to contribute physically.

"He is still young for a centre-back, in normal terms you would expect a centre-back with his athleticism to play well into their thirties anyway," Ferguson todl reporters. "We all know about his back problem, so we've had to manage that.

"He has adapted really well to the challenge of making sure he is fit and fresh to play in the games when we need him.

"How long he goes on for is all down to how he feels physically. Other than that he has no issues at all."

Ferdinand joined the Red Devils in 2002 from Leeds United.