With our defensive displays being thrust into the limelight following some less than United like performances at the back, it appears that Rio Ferdinand has been designated as the man to take the blame.
The 32 year old has seen his season disrupted by injury and upon being drafted back into the team hasn’t quite looked the classy operator we have been used to since he signed for us from Leeds in 2002 so it is easy to single him out.
With the rise of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for United there has been talk of Rio struggling to retain his place in the team and in more extreme cases, of him being shipped out of the club.
Injuries have robbed Ferdinand of the majority of the last 3 seasons of his career but when fully fit there is no defender quite like him.
Last season as United took on Chelsea in the Champions League it was his return for the first leg that galvanised United’s defence and played a part in United advancing to the semi final against Schalke but this seems lost on some who view Ferdinand’s performance against Basle coupled with his omission from Fabio Capello’s latest England squad as a sign that the classy defender is on the decline.
With all the buzz surrounding him, it comes as no surprise that this morning various news sources linked Ferdinand with a move to football’s retirement home, the MLS.
Franchise the Chicago Fire were linked with an audacious swoop for the former United captain but Ferdinand’s agent, Jamie Moralee, has moved quickly to nip any talk 0f a move in the bud stating Ferdinand is fully focused on Manchester United,
“It has been a very frustrating period for all concerned.
“What he wants to do is put his injuries behind him and start showing the form that even last season he produced against some of the very best forwards in the world.
“Rio understands there is some great talent at Manchester United. But he is up for the challenge of that and I am sure he has a big part to play.
“He is now in his 10th season at United. He still has a great hunger and desire to win trophies. It is the type of challenge he thrives on.”
Firstly, Rio is 32, 33 in Nov.
Secondly, all this talk of RIo passed it is stupid and premature. When fit he is still one of the best, a world class defender.
We are no Arsenal, we need experience not just on the pitch but also on the training ground. As talented as the trio of Evans, Smalling and Jones are they have a lot to learn.
Rio will be phased out just like RedNev was but just not now. 2 more seasons…
Thank for that, will amend the error now!
As all of my previous pieces have said, this talk of Rio going is ridiculous when fit there is no finer defender and I feel 100% more confident with him in the team than without