Manchester United team-mates given stringent protection
Rio Ferdinand and his Manchester United team-mates were given stringent police protection ahead of the Elland Road showdown with Leeds.
Former Leeds star Ferdinand had been warned to expect a backlash from Whites supporters following his failure to attend a drugs test.
But no Leeds fan was allowed to get within 50 yards of the United team coach as it made its way around the ground.
Ferdinand, excluded from England's European Championship qualifier against Turkey last week, was arguably one of manager Sir Alex Ferguson's first names down on the team-sheet for this game.
Ferguson made just one change to the side which beat Birmingham 3-0 in their last outing a fortnight ago, with Cristiano Ronaldo restored to the starting line-up owing to Ryan Giggs' illness.
Leeds boss Peter Reid also made one change to the side which recorded a 2-1 home win over Blackburn in Jody Morris' absence, the midfielder currently suspended by the club.
Reid pushed Seth Johnson from left wing into the centre of midfield, opting to give 17-year-old James Milner his first taste of Leeds action this season, and the second start of his United career.
