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Rio to start despite Sir Alex twit

Comment: 0 November 2nd, 2011 by: admin

RIO Ferdinand may have been out of sorts lately but there is still hope as far as his career at Manchester United is concerned.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday gave Ferdinand a boost by saying he still has a future at Old Trafford despite having lost his old competitive pace.

And to further appease the veteran defender, Ferguson announced the former would start the Red devils’ Champions League group match against Otelul Galati on Wednesday after being dropped for the Premier League victory at Everton on Saturday.

Ferdinand’s exclusion from the Everton tiff was brought about by United’s 1-6 thrashing at home by rivals Manchester City. The England international incurred Ferguson’s ire after the City defeat for playing awfully on defence.

Ferguson said during a press conference that Ferdinand will be included in the starting 11 against the Romanian side due to the suspension of Nemanja Vidic, who was suspended after being sent off against Galati during their Romania game two weeks back.

Ferdinand, who will turn 33 next week, has been a vital cog for United having been a member of five Premier League title-winning teams at Old Trafford.

But Ferguson insisted Ferdinand has lost the yard of pace he had five years ago and he must now address his game in a different way.

“That’s obvious, he cannot rely on his pace anymore,’’ said Ferguson. “We have all faced that decisive moment in our careers when we have had to realise that we have to change our game.’’

Ferguson added that if Ferdinand succeeds in altering his game, he would be fine.

Since his lethargic performance in their 3-3 Champions League draw with FC Basel in September, Ferdinand dropped in Ferguson’s pecking order as he is no longer guaranteed a regular starting place. He had only started five league games this season.

Aside from Vidic, younger and quicker defenders like Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are also competing for a place in United’s central defence.

United, last year’s losing finalists, trail Group C leaders Benfica by two points and can not afford to take Otelul lightly. FC Basel are just a point behind at third.

It will be United’s first game at Old Trafford since their humiliation by City.

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