Rio left at home as United head east

Rio Ferdinand was the major absentee from the 20-man Manchester United party which flew to Turkey on Monday morning for Champions League duty.

No immediate reason was given for Ferdinand's absence for Tuesday night's clash away to Bursaspor, although it seems highly likely Sir Alex Ferguson's decision was purely precautionary.

Ferdinand has long-standing back problems and the four-hour flight is hardly conducive to easing his discomfort.

With crucial Premier League matches against Wolves and at Manchester City and Aston Villa to follow in the next fortnight, Ferdinand has almost certainly been excused to give him the best possible chance of featuring in those fixtures.

Jonny Evans, Federico Macheda, Anderson plus long-term victims Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen were also missing as United search for the three points which would take them up to 10 in Group C, the mark which Ferguson always feels is enough to seal a place in the knockout round.