Ferdinand eager to play
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says he is very eager to start playing football again.
Ferdinand has missed the start of Manchester United's season due to straining knee ligaments and picking up a back strain in pre-season training. He also missed a large part of last season and seems very keen to hold down a long-term place in the side.
Ferdinand said: "I have been training full pelt with the team the last two weeks and played a reserve game the other day and feel good. I just enjoyed being out there, putting the shirt on and smelling the cut grass again."
Ferdinand is one of the best defenders that Manchester United has available and it's very important that the player can return to action as quickly as possible. Manchester United has not enjoyed a great start to the Premier League and will want the captain back.
Ferdinand is a top quality defender in the Premier League, Europe and the rest of the world. He has a number of qualities that should help the team stop leaking goals. However, there is always a chance that the same knee problem could reappear later in the year.
A big player back
Ferdinand is the club captain of Manchester United, an important figure at the club and a real leader. He would have cringed at the way United allowed Everton to score twice in the closing minutes of the Premier League game over the weekend to draw the match 3-3.
The team has leaked five goals so far this season after four games. This may not seem like a big number but it will be viewed this way by nearly everyone at the club. Ferdinand has the ability to put some discipline back into the defence, which should stop the side from crumbling under pressure.
United has been forced to play defensive partnerships with little experience so far this season. Johnny Evans is a good defender but he has not played as much in the back four with Nemanja Vidic as Ferdinand has done.
Cotton wool
It will be very tempting for Sir Alex Ferguson to throw Ferdinand back in at the deep end because of the way the United defence has performed so far this season. However, the club must nurse him back into the side and this means resisting the temptation to play him unless he is one hundred per cent ready.
If they don't do this then there is always the danger that a knee or back injury could reappear after a few games. This could potentially keep the defender out of football for even longer, which will be very frustrating for all parties concerned.
Ferdinand added: "My back is fine now. There are things I have to do to make sure the problem doesn't reoccur, but that is all part of getting older. I hope I am through it all now. I feel confident my knee is perfect and confident with my back."
Betting advice
Conceding five goals in four games may not seem a lot but it is huge for a team contending for the title this season. Ferdinand should add some calm and assurance to the Manchester United defence, which will make the team harder to break down.
This in turn will mean that United concedes fewer goals and loses fewer matches. Ferdinand can also offer an attacking threat at the other end of the pitch. He's a great bet to score from a set piece because he's very good in the air. You will get great odds on him scoring because he's a defender.
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