Manchester United can profit from the controversy surrounding Rio Ferdinand’s omission from the England squad.
When the England manager’s job is described as a poisoned chalice, fans and pundits alike are not kidding.
Roy Hodgson stepped out of his comfort zone at West Brom and straight into the firing line from day one when he took on the England job, being attacked by the press for his lisp.
That he could do little about, yet his choices in selecting England’s squad for Euro 2012 have left many feeling he has not helped himself.
The Terry-Ferdinand scenario has presented headlines and controversy straight into his reign. He may have attempted to nip it in the bud by leaving Ferdinand out, but it has backfired with his seemingly disingenuous comments citing ‘footballing reasons’, and an injury to Gary Cahill.
It has been a distraction over the last few days, and Hodgson will be cursing his luck. One manager who will be embracing the situation, is Sir Alex Ferguson.
Take Part In Our Euro 2012 Predictor Competition – Free Entry, £4,000 Prize Fund
Rio will return for Manchester United fired up, and ready to prove a point.
Most of all, he will be fresh for when the season begins, a big plus for the club.
Of Manchester United’s centre-backs, Jones, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evans, and Vidic, only one – Jones – will be involved in tournament football this summer.
Vidic has said he is aiming to make the season opener, but Ferguson would surely rather ease him back in slowly depending on his fitness.
Ferdinand being fresh will mean there is no need to rush Vidic back ahead of time, and United will hope to get off to a flier.
Over the last two-three years and perhaps longer, there have been serious concerns about Ferdinand’s fitness levels. This season just gone he did very well to make 37 starts for the club, stepping up with Vidic injured.
A summer tournament on top could have been detrimental to the 33-year-old, so from a selfish point of view, Manchester United fans should feel grateful to Roy Hodgson for leaving him out.
He will get to recharge his batteries over the summer, and United will hope to get another season where he can make 30 plus starts for the club.
With a burning sense of injustice, combined with a resolve to reclaim the title for his club, Ferdinand could just roll back the clock and go onto have his best season yet.
Ferguson will hope so, Ferdinand has been treated shabbily by the FA, and his manager will use his infamous mind games to get the best out of his player in 2012/13.
Will the omission inspire or overshadow Ferdinand next season?
image: © hitcdc
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
