Defender Rio Ferdinand [ Images ] will miss Manchester United's [ Images ] Champions League [ Images ] match at Bursaspor, the Premier League club said on Monday.

United gave no reason for the absence of the England [ Images ] centre back, who played the full 90 minutes of his team's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur [ Images ] on Saturday.

"Ferdinand... will not feature in Tuesday's clash with the Turkish champions," a statement on the club's website said after the team checked in at Manchester Airport without the 31-year-old.

"That may pave the way for Chris Smalling to make his third European appearance of the season alongside Nemanja Vidic [ Images ] in the centre of defence."

United lead Group C with seven points from three matches, with Scottish champions Rangers second on five. Spain's Valencia are third on four points, while Bursaspor are bottom with zero.