Ferdinand Could Miss Manchester Derby

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could miss the derby against Manchester City or the FA Cup quarter final replay against Chelsea should he be found guilty of violent conduct after an incident with Fernando Torres.

Television cameras caught the former England captain pushing Torres to the floor after a challenge between the two during the FA Cup tie at Old Trafford on Sunday, which finished 2-2.

Upon the incident being brought to The Football Association's attention, referee Howard Webb will be consulted as to whether he first saw the incident and then if the clash is deserving of punishment.

Ferdinand escaped a Uefa ban in mid-week after sarcastically clapping in the direction of Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir after defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday, which followed the controversial dismissal of Nani.

FA regulations state they have two working days following the incident to act. Should Ferdinand be found guilty, he could receive a three-match ban and is certain to miss the weekend's Premier League visit of Reading and the trip to Sunderland on 20 March.

However, with a date yet to be set for the FA Cup replay between Chelsea and United, with The FA waiting on the result of The Blues' Europa League last 16 second leg against Steaua Bucharest, the third game Ferdinand could be absent for might be the Manchester derby against City on 8 April.

Should Chelsea, who trail 1-0 from the first leg in Romania, overcome Steaua, the two Europa League quarter final ties will fill the vacant mid-week slots between now and the proposed semi-final weekend of 13-14 April.

It is understood to not be a viable alternative to cancel Premier League fixtures to help alleviate matters, with the international break between 18-27 March further complicating matters.

Goals from Eden Hazard and Ramires secured a replay for Chelsea after Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney looked like sending United through after a first half blitz.

Ferdinand says United only have themselves to blame after gifting Chelsea a way back into the tie.

"We gave them the impetus to claw their way back into the game," Ferdinand said. "We played some great football at times but were so careless at times. If you are careless you are going to get punished. That was the case.

"But we are still in the cup. Wembley is waiting for one of us to go through and hopefully it is us.

"We go to Stamford Bridge for the replay with confidence. We have the tools. We have been there before this season and done well and with the squad we have we don't fear going anywhere."