Rio Ferdinand was once dubbed as one of England’s golden generation, but now with Euro 2012 on the horizon his international place cannot be assured. But what about his future at Manchester United ?
Ferdinand grew up on a South London estate in Peckham, and now he is one of the country’s richest footballers. He has been at Manchester United since 2003, and is a multiple times Premiership champion, as well as a Champions League winner. If it were down to past performances alone, Ferdinand’s England place would not be in doubt.
The issue is that, since 2009, Rio has been plagued by injury, and appears to be no longer able to cope with the demands of playing 50-60 games a season.
This last fortnight he was left out of Fabio Capello’s England squad. After a staggeringly good World Cup 2002, his international career has been disappointing – missing Euro 2004 because of the that drugs test furore, and World Cup 2010 through injury.
And over at Manchester United, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has heeded the warning signs, and recruited young hungry players in central defence who threaten to displace him for his club side too.
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are as promising a prospect as any in the Premier League, and will compete with Ferdinand for two centre back positions at United, along with Jonny Evans and captain Nemanja Vidic.
Despite his injuries, when he did play last season though, Ferdinand was on top form (unlike in 2009/10 when he was exposed by both Fernando Torres and Craig Bellamy). And last term his defensive work included playing a record amount of minutes without committing a foul, an example of why Ferdinand has become the perfect on-pitch role model for a defender in the modern game. He also contributed strongly to help United keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League last season, and will continue to perform highly at the top level (even if he could do nothing as United were torn apart by Barcelona in the final).
In all likelihood, Ferdinand will continue to be a key figure at United for the next two / three years. The club have let senior figures go of late, (Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, of course), but for all the club’s youthful exuberance, the presence and experience of a proven winner will be invaluable as Manchester United strive to put even more distance between themselves and their rivals.
Ferdinand will probably play less games this season than last, but United are better prepared to rotate their defence now. Sir Alex will give him the required protection and rest, but Ferdinand will have to do his part and stay fit.
One other thing to bear in mind is that the competition for places could bring out the best in him, as more than ever he will now have a point to prove – but it is the battle with his body that will be most crucial.
And Ferdinand will have to focus on his football, and not allow off-field issues such as Twitter, his restaurant, or magazine to become distractions.
image: © dullhunk
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