20 May,2009 03:48 PM IST | | AFP
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted on Wednesday that Rio Ferdinand is likely to have to prove his fitness against Hull to stand a chance of featuring in next week's Champions League final.
England defender Ferdinand, 30, has missed the last three United matches with a calf problem.
United travel to the KC Stadium on Sunday for their final Premier League fixture with the title already won.
Ferguson was hoping to field a reserve team to keep his key men fresh for the game against Barcelona in Rome on Wednesday.
The United manager maintains that he would be happy for youngster Jonny Evans, 21, who has regularly stood in for Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic this season, to play in the final.
And he acknowledges there would be a risk of playing Ferdinand against the Spanish champions after a three-week lay-off.
United are optimistic that Ferdinand will return to training on Thursday but Ferguson is still unsure about his chances of playing against Barcelona.
He said: "I'm hoping that he'll be fit for Sunday and if he's not then he's doubtful for Wednesday.
"To go into the Champions League without playing for three weeks is too much so hopefully he'll be fit for Sunday.
"We hope he can start training with us on Thursday and after the transfer to football training we'll have a better idea about his availability for Sunday.
"I think he will probably be fit before Wednesday but whether I'd start him without a game is another matter.
"I'm close to knowing the team. Obviously you have to assess the performance, our own strengths and the form players.
"It would be no problem at all to start with Jonny Evans against Barcelona.
"He's had a fantastic season and he grew up with Gerard Pique and it would be fitting if they're both playing in the final.
"I'm sure Gerard Pique will be playing. It'd be a nice touch. I wouldn't worry one bit about him playing in the final."
The match has been billed as a potential classic with two of the most attack-minded teams pitting their wits against each other.
Ferguson accepts that Champions League finals rarely live up to their hype but is confident it will be an attractive match against Pep Guardiola's side.
He added: "The profile of the final is very good and I hope it lives up to that profile.
"The players that Barcelona have got and Manchester United have got, it suggests a good final and I hope it lives up to that.
"European finals can be disappointing and if you look at the results over the years there were some really disappointing games and results, penalty kicks.
Veteran winger Ryan Giggs could be set for a third Champions League final appearance in the last decade.
And the 35-year-old midfielder, who has now won 11 Premier League titles, believes that United are now starting to show maturity after they were written off during a period of Chelsea dominance four years ago.
He said: "We have the players to get to a Champions League final. Maybe four years ago the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney had just come to the club and hadn't matured into the players that they are now.
"They're world-class players now and together with the other players that the manager has brought in, we've just got better and better since then.
Giggs is also optimistic about the chances of an open game next Wednesday.
He said: "I hope it's a free-flowing game and there are lots of goals but sometimes the teams cancel each other out and I hope that's not the case.
"Hopefully we keep their danger men quiet and the players that are match winners for us, perform."
