Man Unitedβs build up to their Champions League clash with Otelul Galati tomorrow evening has produced some revealing comments regarding the future of Rio Ferdinand, with some significance to Fantasy managers.
Ahead of tomorrowβs Old Trafford tie, Sir Alex Ferguson, speaking at a press conference, has indicated that, with Nemanja Vidic his number one choice at centre-back, Ferdinand is now left to battle it out with Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for a slot alongside the Serb.
No longer, it seems, is Ferdinand a guaranteed start for the champions, with his manager stating that the thirty-three year old will now have to modify his game as age catches up with him.
I explained to Rio the other day simply this – we have two young centre-backs coming through and I’m happy to have four and hope I can keep four of them happy for a long time. Rio’s almost 33 and has obviously lost the yard of pace he had five years ago but that doesn’t mean to say he can’t tailor his game into a different game where he doesn’t rely on pace. I did that myself when I lost some sharpness so I tailored my game differently. Rio will do the same and he’ll be fine. He’s still one of the best footballers in the country in terms of his use of the ball. He has a great presence and can still tackle and head the ball.
Ferdinand has taken part in six of Unitedβs league games so far but with Vidic only now returning to fitness following a calf injury, theyβve shown little resilience at the back this season. Vidicβs two games in the past week, however, have seen United record clean sheets, though Ferdinand – perhaps after his display against Man City in the 6-1 mauling – played no part. Jones was preferred for the Carling Cup trip to Aldershot and Evans retained his start at Goodison.
With Vidic suspended tomorrow evening, Ferdinand looks odds-on to return to the heart of the back-four, though whether heβll keep his place against Sunderland this weekend is perhaps unlikely. An unchanged defence from the Everton game looks to be on the cards.
Long-term, though, Ferdinandβs appearances will perhaps continue to be limited. The adaptability of both Smalling and Jones may work in Ferdinandβs favour to a certain extent, with either player also capable of filling in at right-back. Jones is also able to slot into defensive central midfield, leaving Evans as the only out-and-out centre half of Fergusonβs three younger options.
Smallingβs recent foot injury will sideline him for a month and as of yet this season, Ferguson has not had a full quota of defenders to choose from. With Rafael also now available to return at right-back, Ferdinand could find himself a peripheral figure as his manager looks to re-invigorate the United back-line, with the shockwaves from the City defeat still reverberating around Old Trafford.
For Fantasy managers, Evans is by far the most intriguing option given his rather modest pricing across the Fantasy games. The Irishman has started eight of Unitedβs ten league games so far this season and, at just 4.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, has to be considered as a short-term option at the very least.
The return of Vidic was expected to dent Evansβs prospects but the start at Goodison, following his red card against City, was a surprise. Ferdinand was left to look on from the sidelines in that game and will likely find himself in that position again this weekend.
With improved fixtures on the horizon and with the possibility that Ferguson will look to discover a more miserly approach following the City thrashing, Fantasy managers will be keen to examine the options in the United back four. Todayβs comments have shed more light on the situation and offered further indication that Evans will remain in the mix.
Weβve seen that Ferguson is more than willing to show faith in Evans and, in the past, the United boss has looked to establish a settled partnership in the league. If Evans can maintain a decent level of performance and United can embark on a run of improved defensive displays, thereβs even the possibility that he could perhaps make the position alongside Vidic his own.
