Sir Alex Ferguson will speak with Rio Ferdinand ahead of Man Utd's meeting with Chelsea and attempt to calm any pre-match handshake concerns.
Red Devils boss will back Ferdinand in whatever decision he takes
Sir Alex Ferguson will speak with Rio Ferdinand ahead of Manchester United's meeting with Chelsea and attempt to calm any pre-match handshake concerns.
The Red Devils are due at Stamford Bridge on Sunday for what promises to be an intriguing tussle without player rivalries being thrown into the mix.
The match could see Ferdinand come face-to-face with England colleague John Terry for the first time since the Blues skipper was charged with racially abusing his younger brother Anton during a Premier League match in October.
There is a chance that Terry will not feature at Stamford Bridge, as he is nursing a knee problem, meaning Ferdinand could avoid being put in the uncomfortable position of having to decide whether or not to shake his hand.
Ferguson would fully understand if his centre-half opts to snub the Chelsea captain, but he is keen to discuss the matter and find out where everyone stands prior to the two teams taking to the field.
"John Terry might not play but I would have a word with Rio about the situation," said Ferguson.
Courage
"Rio has been fighting racism for many years and the lad must rise above it.
"It doesn't detract from anything to shake John Terry's hand. He (Rio) has done nothing to be ashamed of."
Sunday's clash with Chelsea is the first of two such cases United are faced with on successive weekends, given Luis Suarez is set to be in the Liverpool squad to face the Red Devils at Old Trafford on 11th February.
It would be the Uruguayan's first meeting with United defender Patrice Evra since he was banned for eight matches for making racist comments towards the Frenchman.
"Patrice Evra has already shown the courage to fight it by complaining about it," said Ferguson.
"It is nothing to be ashamed of. There is not a problem shaking hands."
