Fergie - Rio will recover

United boss admits defender's form is below his best

Last updated: 17th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie - Rio will recover

Ferdinand: Support from Ferguson

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Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Rio Ferdinand can rediscover his best form, but acknowledged the defender is encountering the most difficult time of his Manchester United career.

Ferdinand has endured a troubled start to the new season for both United and England, with injuries and mistakes hampering the centre-half.

He has made costly errors for England against Holland and Ukraine, and he also gifted City striker Craig Bellamy an equaliser in last month's Manchester derby.

United boss Ferguson admits the 30-year-old is currently struggling for form, but has backed Ferdinand to recapture his best performances.

"He has not had spells like this since he joined the club," said Ferguson, who signed Ferdinand from Leeds United in 2002 for almost £30million.

"It is an unusual experience for him, but he will get through it I am sure of that."

Challenge

Ferdinand has struggled with back and muscle injuries over the past 12 months and Ferguson feels the former West Ham youngster's form will improve the more he plays.

"Games will help Rio," added Ferguson. "Missing games takes the rhythm away. Getting it back is the challenge now.

"I am sure he has taken the criticism on board.

"I don't know whether it is over-confidence, but there has always been a casual part of Rio's game since he was a kid.

"It has been an advantage to him at times. At others, particularly in his younger days, it was a weakness.

"But along with his development and maturity, it has brought about some outstanding form over quite a long time for us."

He continued: "All players worry about their form if they are getting criticism. They have to. They wouldn't be human if they didn't.

"We all go through little phases where we have to correct our game or take it a step up. I am sure Rio will do that."

Comments (9)

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Michael Cormack (Newcastle United fan) says...

Ferdinand has consistantly been the best central defender in England, if not the world, over the last 5 years. It is only because he has set such high standards for himself that anyone even sees that he is going through a dip in form. Fair enough, he has made a few mistakes but most defenders make mistakes on a weekly basis, it is just noticable when Ferdinand makes mistakes because he usually never makes any. So instead of being the best defender in England he is currently probably only the 3rd best, behind only Terry and Vidic. Still pretty good company to be in!

Posted 12:24 17th October 2009

Ainsley Anderson (Manchester United fan) says...

Christopher Price, Im sorry but I am going to have to strongly disagree with you there. Rio's reading of the game is outstanding and far superior to Terry's, you see Terry lunging all over the place because his reading of the game isn't as great. Terry is an excellent defender but not a patch on Rio or Carvalho IMO. I think the few blips Rio has had recently is purely down to lack of games, no matter how good you are, you need games behind you to be 100%. Like Fergie has said he hasn't been playing week in week out yet. When he does the old self assured Rio will be back with us.

Posted 11:46 17th October 2009

Dattatreya Padharthi (Manchester United fan) says...

Yes, Rio will be back to his best. But we , as united fans, should be realistic and accept the fact that Rio's form is not at best. Do not be emotional.

Posted 11:24 17th October 2009

Costa M (Manchester United fan) says...

Dont know what all the fuss is about...hes a great player and also human. When you dont make many mistakes over the years like him, the ones you do make tend to stand out

Posted 11:19 17th October 2009

David Taylor (Manchester United fan) says...

Agreed, Rio is a legend, but how long can we continue to watch him turn his back on the ball? You watch next time he plays. He seems to be doing it more and more recently. Bellamy's 1st goal in the manchester derby, now I can't take anything away from the goal because it was a peach, but Rio turned his back on the ball when he shot, rule number 1 of defending is always face the ball, you certainly wouldnt see John Terry turning his back on the ball, he'd save it with his face. SORT IT OUT RIO! THIS TEAM NEEDS YOU BACK AT YOUR BEST!

Posted 11:08 17th October 2009

Ihsan Rashid (Manchester United fan) says...

Without Rio Ferdinand at the back for united they look a different side all together. He's a top class player and he'll be back when united need him most

Posted 11:06 17th October 2009

Christopher Price (Swansea City fan) says...

Ferdinand was a good player but no where near the class of Terry. He's afraid to get his head in where it hurts. Sadly he is well past it.

Posted 10:55 17th October 2009

Hani S (Manchester United fan) says...

Rio is the most overrated centre half in the country,, for someone that tall and never get to head the ball away of the danger area is shocking.. cost united alot with that weakness ( most recentrly Messi's CL finale goal and Defoe's wonder goal for Spurs). Can't wait to see Evans takes over Rio.

Posted 10:54 17th October 2009

Madz A (Manchester United fan) says...

Legend!! He'll be back to his best soon enough..

Posted 09:42 17th October 2009
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