Fergie won't blame it in Rio

Ferguson had accused Ferdinand of embarrassing him after the player refused to wear a 'Kick It Out' anti-racism T-shirt in the warm-up prior to the 4-2 home win over Stoke City on Sunday (AEDT).

The long-serving Scot had said before the game that all his players would wear the T-shirts, stressing his view that a united front was the best approach.

Ferdinand's younger brother, Queens Park Rangers defender Anton, was the subject of racist abuse from John Terry last year, for which the Chelsea captain is currently serving a four-match suspension.

After Sunday's game, the Scot claimed Ferdinand had let the club down and would be "dealt with".

But any tension between the two appeared to have thawed by Monday, with Ferguson hinting that the 33-year-old player could even be offered a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

"I think Rio could play for another two or three years," said Ferguson at a press conference in Manchester ahead of United's UEFA Champions League game with Portuguese side Braga at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

"He's not as quick as he was but that's not a problem for me. There's no reason he can't stay on for another year."

On his disagreement with Ferdinand, Ferguson added: "I think there was a communication problem. I think he felt I should have spoken to him on Friday.

"My advice to him is that I always think the union is stronger than any individual and it is important he airs his grievances to the right people, through the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) or the FA (Football Association)."

With United, second in the Premier League, away to leader Chelsea on Monday, Ferguson revealed that Ferdinand will be left out of his starting line-up for the visit of Braga.

But he was at pains to stress that his decision was motivated by the need for Ferdinand to be rested ahead of the trip to London at the weekend, rather than as a result of any disciplinary measures.

French defender Patrice Evra will also not start against Braga, which is third in Group H after one win and one defeat from two games.

Braga is third in the Portuguese top flight and Ferguson is anticipating a difficult evening for his men, who overcame Galatasaray and CRF-Cluj 1-0 and 2-1 respectively in their opening two group matches.