LONDON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will stay home while his teammates start the European Champion League match against Otelul Galati in Bucharest, Romania on Tuesday.

Ferdinand, 32, didn't show up Monday morning as 23 players checked in for United's flight to Bucharest. The veteran also missed the previous trip against Benfica in Lisbon last month.

Rafael and Tom Cleverley both missed the trip as they are recovering from injuries.

According to the Red Devils' official website, manager Alex Ferguson demanded his side win both Champions League clashes against Otelul Galati.

"We need to win both games and hopefully we'll do that. And we'll hope for one of two things from the other teams - either they both draw or one wins both games. We don't want them to win a game each as the group would then be very tight, " Ferguson was quoted.

Man United are third in Group C after two draws against Benfica and Basel.