Manchester United have confirmed that Rio Ferdinand is available to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Despite being named captain, Ferdinand was substituted during last weekend’s 4-1 victory over Middlesbrough, apparently uninjured.

Reports had emerged suggesting the 28-year-old had been sent for a scan after a recurrence of the groin problem he sustained at the end of last season, which ruled him out of key England matches against Brazil and Estonia.

United officials have opted not to outline the results of the supposed scan, or indeed confirm if he actually had one, but have released a statement claiming the England defender will be available for selection on Saturday.

“Manchester United have confirmed that Rio Ferdinand is fit to face Arsenal on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium,” the statement read.

“Reports in Tuesday’s press claimed the Reds defender has experienced a recurrence of an old groin injury and would miss the key Premier League clash. However, the influential 28-year-old centre-back trained with the rest of the squad at Carrington on Tuesday, and is considered fully fit and ready to play against the Gunners.”

It is good news for Sir Alex Ferguson, who, despite the return of Owen Hargreaves on Saturday and the imminent comebacks of Michael Carrick and Gary Neville, yesterday saw Paul Scholes ruled out for three months after being forced to undergo knee surgery.