Ferdinand to make United comeback in reserve game

[CDev]

Rio Ferdinand will make his comeback from the knee injury that ruled him out of the World Cup in a Manchester United reserve game on Wednesday night.

The 31-year-old defender missed the World Cup after injuring ligaments in a collision with Emile Heskey during England training in South Africa.

If he comes through unscathed against Oldham, Ferdinand could make a first-team return at Everton on 11 September.

That week United have home games against Rangers and Liverpool.

Ferdinand's fellow England defender Wes Brown, Brazilian midfielder Anderson and Italian striker Federico Macheda are also all expected to play for United's reserves on Wednesday.

Ferdinand's return to action is earlier than expected, with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson having previously said he did not expect him back until the end of the month.

His comeback is too late for Ferdinand to have any involvement in England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria on Friday, 3 September and Switzerland on Tuesday, 7 September, but it will be a welcome bit of good news on the injury front for manager Fabio Capello.

Meanwhile, Manchester United chief executive David Gill has revealed the club have failed to reach their target of season ticket sales this summer.

In July, United were forced to take the unusual step of placing 4,000 Old Trafford season tickets on general sale, having only sold 50,000.

Gill said the number of season tickets sold was now 51,800 compared to the target of 54,000, and that executive seat sales were "on track".

The club sold 64,000 season tickets two years ago, of which 8,000 were all-important premium tickets, and only 500 fewer last season.

United's season-ticket sales have been conducted against a backdrop of a campaign by fans' group the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) urging a boycott in the hope of persuading the American owners, the Glazer family, to sell the club.

[I.LuV.ManUTd!]

Ole said he played well and is now fit for the 1st team