Manchester United have taken ailing stopper Rio Ferdinand to have an injection in a fresh attempt to get to the bottom of his persistent back injury which have blighted his season thus far.

Ferdinand, who turned 31 last week, has been struggling for form and fitness this term, and is going through what his United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is calling 'the most difficult time he has endured in his seven years at the club'.

And in an attempt to tide him over without the requirement of a significant lay-off, Ferdinand has had an injection and started a new course of treatment in order to see him through the current campaign without the discomfort he has been suffering of late.

His injury-hit spell has seen him play in just 24 games out of the last 50 for club and country, and Sir Alex has decided he should see the specialist for fear that a new calf injury is related to his long-standing back problem.

Still the world's most expensive defender of all-time, Ferdinand hasn't played since being bamboozled by Fernando Torres against Liverpool at the end of October, and is facing a minimum of a further fortnight on the sidelines.

England's medical staff appear to be equally concerned with Ferdinand's plight following Ferguson's gloomy recent forecast that he is showing 'no signs of recovering', and have been asking for regular updates on his condition.

Ferdinand himself has apparently been surprised by the amount of criticism his recent performances have drawn, and further dismayed by talk that his interests outside of the game have contributed by his apparent absent-mindedness on the pitch.