Rio rubbishes Blues' injury excuse
Rio Ferdinand is adamant United were worthy winners
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Tuesday, 08, May 2007 10:42
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has brushed off claims that his side have won the league by default after a spate of injuries at title rivals Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho has made regular references to the set-backs suffered by key players such as John Terry, Joe Cole and Petr Cech this season, but the former Leeds United centre-back believes they are part and parcel of a gruelling Premiership schedule.
"People talk about injuries and go overboard. Every team suffers during the season at some point," he told Talk Sport.
"Our last seven games we've had some horrendous injuries - [Nemanja] Vidic with a broken collarbone and Gary Neville, the best right-back in the world.
"It doesn't matter what anyone else says or reckons what's happened to their team. Everyone's going to have their opinion."
United wrapped up the ninth title of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign at the weekend with Chelsea only able to draw away to Arsenal after Manchester City had succumbed 1-0 in their derby clash.
However the Scot was kinder in his assessment of Mourinho's attitude, claiming that the former Porto boss had dealt well with the loss of the title.
"Jose understands winning and losing are twins in a way. You have to deal with them in the same way. When you win, you don't gloat and when you lose you don't go bananas," he said.