MANCHESTER United are hopeful of convincing the Football Association to slash the suspension of Rio Ferdinand - the player they admit they have been unable to cope without.

Ferdinand tomorrow begins a two-day appeal against the eight-month ban he is serving for missing a drugs test in September.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have endured a nightmare month in the England centre-back's absence.

They have been dumped out of the Champions League by Porto and watched Arsenal advance to within touching distance of their Barclaycard Premiership crown.

United have, in fact, kept just one clean sheet in the 10 games since the England defender began his ban.

But Old Trafford director Sir Bobby Charlton believes Ferdinand could soon be back in action as he is optimistic the suspension will be drastically reduced.

Difficult

The United and England legend said: "Rio's a world-class player who's been taken out of our team and we've had difficulty filling that gap.

"We've been leaking goals. It would be very nice to get him back early but I'm not going to pre-ordain the appeal. I am hopeful though, absolutely, and it would be good for us if Ferdinand's ban is reduced."

Ferdinand's absence has been mooted as a major reason behind United's slump which has seen them win only twice since February 7 - both FA Cup ties, against Manchester City and Fulham.

Sunday's shock 4-1 league defeat at local rivals City handed Arsenal a 12-point lead with 10 games left - meaning only a spectacular and entirely unexpected collapse by the unbeaten Gunners would allow United back into the title picture.

But Sir Bobby, who scored 245 goals in 751 games for the Old Trafford giants, today reiterated his confidence in boss Ferguson.

Faith

"I have complete faith in Sir Alex Ferguson," he said.

"He's a great manager. He's never let us down and I don't see why that will be any different now.

"People have different approaches and he has his way of doing it.

"He's been a manager for a long time and you don't do that by making bad decisions and alienating your players. You do it by doing the opposite and getting players to respect you.

"Alex doesn't like losing and he'll be telling the players to get back to winning."

Charlton admitted United are "hurting" after their devastating month.

"It would appear there is a crisis at Manchester United," he said. "We've lost a couple of important games and it does hurt.

"You can't help it hurting if you're a fan, whether you're like me or if you work at Manchester Airport or on a conveyor belt in a factory.

"It's your passion so if your team suffers really seriously - and we've had two big hits in the last week - it hurts.

"It's unfortunate but that's the way it is. We've done it to a few people in the past and now it's being done to us so it's our turn to suffer.

"You've just got to take it on the chin when things go against you."

Charlton was speaking at the announcement of the nominations for the fifth Laureus World Sports Awards at England's rugby union HQ Twickenham.

Can you see the Rio ban being reduced? have your say

Tweet