Sir Alex Ferguson resolves Rio Ferdinand T-shirt dispute

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he has resolved his dispute with Rio Ferdinand over the defender's refusal to wear a Kick It Out T-shirt.

Ferguson said he was "embarrassed" after Ferdinand decided not to wear the top in support of the anti-racism group ahead of the 4-2 win over Stoke.

But Ferguson said: "I've spoken to Rio. There is no issue.

"There was a communication problem but it has been resolved."

More than 30 players from eight Premier League clubs chose not to support the annual Kick It Out awareness drive by refusing to wear a campaign T-shirt.

Players including Ferdinand and Reading's Jason Roberts made the gesture to demonstrate against a perceived lack of action about racism.

Ferguson criticised Roberts' decision before the weekend but said he hopes Ferdinand will now express his views in a different way.

The United manager added: "He felt I should have spoken to him on Friday and I didn't anticipate that he'd have a problem wearing the shirt.

"My advice is to him is that I always feel a union is stronger than an individual. It's important he airs his grievances to the right people, to the PFA or the FA.

"As a manager you lay down policy and you don't want that ignored and that's where my anger came from on Saturday. There are no lingering problems and we move on."

Ferguson confirmed that Ferdinand, 33, will be rested for Tuesday's Champions League match against Braga at Old Trafford.