Boss clarifies Rio's position

27/11/2011 10:36, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson has explained his recent comments regarding Rio Ferdinand and reiterated that the Manchester United defender still has another couple of good years in him.

The Reds centre-back was told he would have to adjust his game as he gets older and that led to some newspaper reports that the £30million signing from Leeds will be phased out of the firing line.

Sir Alex addressed the matter on the eve of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United, during which Ferdinand was highly unfortunate to concede a penalty. The boss told Sunday newspaper journalists:

"I think it [the talk about Rio's United days being numbered] generally came from the media after he'd not played in certain games.

"From Rio's perspective as he's been such a great player for us, I think it was important to explain his present position and there's nothing wrong with that.

"What I said was absolute fact - he's not as quick as he was five years ago. That happens, people do lose their pace as they get older.

"But Rio is adjusting his game accordingly and has had two or three good performances since then.

"I've no issues at all with Rio, he can play for another couple of years quite easily. Of course we have to look ahead, there's nothing wrong with that, but it shouldn't mean Rio looks upon it as the end of his career. He's got a part to play with his experience and he's good in the dressing room. He's a big figure and players look up to him so that will continue."

Sir Alex echoed these sentiments in his interview with the latest edition of Inside United, which is on sale from Wednesday 30 November.

"I can clarify the situation quite simply," he stated. "Rio is 33 years old now so he's naturally going to have to adapt his game in some fashion. But he has the necessary attributes to compensate for [losing a yard of pace].

"It's not like he's a big, cumbersome oaf. Rio's a nimble, athletic and agile guy and he's still faster than most.

"He's a terrific player and he'll play many, many more games for us. He's still one of the best centre-backs in the country."

source : Manutd

Papers: Rio raid

27/10/2011 10:30

The Daily Mail writes...

Roma loan swoop for Manchester duoItalian side Roma have emerged as the shock candidates to take Man City rebel Carlos Tevez on loan... and they want Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, too. The Serie A giants are expected to launch sensational loan bids for the Manchester-based pair in January, as they look to kick-start a stuttering campaign under new manager Luis Enrique. The American-backed club from the capital are currently seventh in the league and failed to get past Europa League qualification, despite heavy investment in the summer. And now they hope their ambitious project will be enough to lure two of the Premier League's biggest names to Italy. Ferdinand is believed to be the most likely to make the switch and reports in Italy suggest that England general manager Franco Baldini, who has an executive role within the Giallorossi, will use his relationship with the Manchester United defender to engineer a move.

In the Manchester Evening News, Chris Smalling has outlined his plans for a busy summer targeting England’s Euro 2012 campaign and the Olympics for Team GB. The Reds defender explains: “Whether it is the Euros, the Olympics, or both – you would like to be involved because these opportunities do not come around too often.”

Elsewhere, the Mirror claims Sir Alex Ferguson will ring the changes for United’s trip to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday. The boss will apparently bench most of the players involved in the 6-1 defeat to Manchester City.

source : manutd