Ferdinand proves he’s still a class act

Rio Ferdinand may be surplus to requirements for Roy Hodgson, but his Manchester United team-mates are thankful to have him around.

Again left out of the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Ferdinand was on the right track in Newcastle on Sunday.

The 33-year-old showed all the old poise to stroll through a 3-0 win over Alan Pardew’s men that kept United in touch with early Barclays Premier League pace-setters Chelsea.

Afforded more protection by United’s new diamond formation than he got the previous weekend against Tottenham’s speedsters, Ferdinand showed he remains a class act. Not that the United dressing room ever felt otherwise.

“Rio is quality,” said defensive colleague Jonny Evans. “He is so experienced. He cruises through games. He strolls off at the end and there is not a bit of sweat on him. It looks like could play on and on.”

That is the style Ferdinand adopts when he is at his best. It is the reason why there were calls for him to be recalled by Hodgson for the forthcoming games with San Marino and Poland. Alex Ferguson is doubtless glad Hodgson has chosen a different route given the delicate nature of his defensive resources, even when Chris Smalling gets ready to return from his broken metatarsal after the international break.

Nevertheless, the defence of Hodgson’s position, if not by him then by others who share the same opinion, has brought criticism Tom Cleverley cannot fathom.

“Rio had one bad game in six months,” said the midfielder, who scored United’s brilliant third. We have conceded a few goals and made a few silly mistakes this season.

“But I couldn’t believe some of the stuff I have read about Rio in midweek. He has definitely not deserved that.”