Ferguson tells Rio to quit England

The Manchester United manager reckons Ferdinand should call time on his international career. But he would say that.

ALEX FERGUSON HAS warned Rio Ferdinand that if he should quit international football if he wants to land a new deal at Manchester United.

John Terry’s international retirement announced earlier this week has left a vacancy in the Three Lions’ defence, but the Red Devils manager has warned Ferdinand that extra playing time for his country might affect his chances of earning a contract extension.

But despite this Ferguson still insists that Ferdinand has the quality for the England side.

“He (Ferdinand) could do the job for England, I have no doubt about that,” Ferguson told reporters. ”But I don’t see why he should. I think he should concentrate on his career here.

“I would prefer that, though I wouldn’t stand in his way. It is his ¬decision. But I don’t think it is actually correct that he wants to play for England again.

Ferguson continued: “When he first started with the back problems, he was out for longer periods. Now, we just take care in the training. He is doing yoga and all these things are contributing to his being fit and that’s good.

“He uses his experience now. Six or seven years ago, he had such a great change of pace he used to leave it almost until the last second to turn on the gas and get there. Now, he can’t do that. As everyone else, they lose their pace as they get older and he is using his experience to compensate for that. He is not taking any chances now.”