‘One bad game and people says Rio is finished. It’s wrong’

THIS has been a week about statistics, about dwelling upon the past, for Alex Ferguson and Manchester United as, arguably, the greatest manager in the history of British football reached 25 years as the supreme commander at Old Trafford.

Yet, even at the age of nearly 70, Ferguson has always been concerned with only one thing — the future. There may have been 37 pieces of silverware paraded through the Old Trafford trophy cupboard since his appointment on November 6, 1986 but, even safe in the knowledge that the North Stand is now called “The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand” with his own statue to be unveiled outside, the veteran Scot will be interested solely in how and where trophy number 38 will materialise.

All of which leaves the current status of experienced England defender Rio Ferdinand so intriguing as he celebrates a milestone of his own — his 33rd birthday — today.

There is no doubt that this has been a sub-par season this far for United’s traditionally miserly defence, and not only because of the 6-1 humiliation that was inflicted upon them in the Manchester derby.

Nemanja Vidic has struggled with injury, Jonny Evans has looked painfully short of the required standard, Phil Jones has been brilliant but also absent on occasion, Chris Smalling a work in progress and even the previously immaculate Patrice Evra has faltered.

Then, there is Rio.

Ferguson has spoken loud and often this season of the need for Ferdinand to adapt to a new role at Old Trafford, one in which the increasingly injury-prone central defender has to accept he is no longer a first or automatic choice on the United team sheet. That has been interpreted in some quarters as a masterful piece of Ferguson psychology, an attempt to provide Ferdinand with a reminder to focus on his job, his fitness and recovery rather than the myriad off-field interests that seem to occupy him.

As Ferdinand and Vidic enjoyed a rare outing alongside each other at Old Trafford on Saturday, there was isolated evidence at least that perhaps the message has got through as United kept a clean sheet for a fourth consecutive game since the derby day debacle. Vidic, at least, believes those who have written off his partner have done so too soon.

“To be honest when you look at what is happening to Rio over the last few weeks — this is a player who played in most of the big games last season, helped us win the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final and yet after one game people are saying he is not good enough anymore,” said Vidic.

“I think this is wrong — and Rio showed that today. He showed class, he showed determination, as well as his ability to help the players around him.

“It is important to have all the players fit but I hope Rio stays fit because he is a player who can help the young players and the team. Sometimes when you have been at the top a long time like Rio has, people judge you on your age and they are waiting for one bad game to say he is finished.

“What he did today is the perfect way to show he is not finished. He showed strength of character. He showed everyone that he still has the quality and ability to play at the top level. After the City game we realised we had to play as a team, we had to defend better. And I think we have done that in the last four games. We take a lot of satisfaction from the fact we have won all four games but if you look at the performances we can definitely do better.”

To be fair to United, who required an own goal from former defender Wes Brown who headed Nani’s corner into his own goal in first-half injury-time, they did an impressive job of managing the expectation and emotion that was thrown up by Ferguson’s anniversary game, one that started with the unveiling of his stand before kick-off.

“It was important we got the win because it was a special occasion for the manager and it was the last game before the international break,” said Vidic. “Definitely, sometimes these games can go wrong, especially after the last two weeks when there has been a lot of tension following the derby.”

Sunderland performed manfully, promising long-range shots from Nicklas Bendtner and substitute Ji Dong-Won their best openings, and there was confusion when referee Lee Mason awarded them a penalty on the instruction of his linesman in the second-half only to, correctly, overrule the decision.

Even Sunderland manager Steve Bruce agreed that was the right outcome although, after failing to beat his former manager for an 18th consecutive game as manager, it should probably have come as no surprise. “I’ve just had a glass of wine with him,” said Bruce of his former manager. “He welcomed me in with a great bottle of wine but that is 18 times. I’ll be his age before I get a win against him. Naming the stand after him is a fitting tribute and thoroughly deserved. I have never known anyone at Man United keep a secret so that is even more remarkable!”