Ferguson insists under-fire Ferdinand is as good as ever

By Simon Stone

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

ALEX FERGUSON has launched a robust defence of Rio Ferdinand against accusations that "his legs have gone".

The startling claim was made by former England boss Graham Taylor at the weekend. Taylor believes Ferdinand’s best years are behind him, he will no longer be a force for his country and may struggle to recapture his best form for Manchester United.

Ferguson disagrees totally.

"In my time here, we have always had one of our star players finding he gets criticised when he has a little blip," he said. "It seems to be part and parcel of being a player at Manchester United. He will come out of it – there is no question about that.

"There is no discernible depreciation in his qualities – none at all."

The solution, as far as Ferguson is concerned, is straightforward.

As Ferdinand has stated himself, what he needs is a run of games.

The problem is getting them. Tonight’s Champions League encounter with CSKA Moscow is a non-starter, which places an element of doubt over his participation in Sunday’s showdown with Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

"Playing with injury is not the easiest thing to do, and we are trying to get it right," said Ferguson.

"It is difficult to say about the weekend. He is doing some good work, and we hope we will see improvement.’’

However Ferdinand’s form has been so patchy that the chatter around Old Trafford has been whether Ferguson should start with Jonny Evans.

Tonight, Evans will partner Wes Brown – someone else who has been blighted by injury since the 2008 Champions League triumph in Moscow.

"The great thing for Wes Brown is that he has remained fit this year," said Ferguson. "Last season, he had a terrible run of injuries. But when he is fit and we bring him in there is no better defender in the country. He is a real true defender.

"I have no worries about Sunday in terms of Brown and Evans – absolutely no worries at all."

What will be of concern to Ferguson, though, is who plays upfront given that Dimitar Berbatov is struggling with an injury to his kneecap while Wayne Rooney’s participation is in doubt after his wife Coleen gave birth to a baby boy yesterday.

If neither figure Ferguson could partner Michael Owen with Federico Macheda in attack as United look for the win required to send them into the knockout phase with two games to spare.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, November 03, 2009