Ferdinand reveals toughest opponents

James Robson

October 29, 2009

Rio Ferdinand

GIVEN the manner in which he was left red-faced by Fernando Torres, you might think the Liverpool striker would rank highly among the hitmen most feared by Rio Ferdinand.

But aside from Real Madrid forward Raul, the other men singled out by the United defender, might surprise a few. The names of John Hartson and Kevin Davies wouldn't be top of most Reds fans' lists when it comes to their ideal frontman.

But Ferdinand singles both out as two of the trickiest customers he has had to contend with.

"There's always a different threat with different players," said the England international.

"Raul in the Champions League is one of the hardest I have to play against. He doesn't play against you, he plays away from you. He asks you to come and mark him or let him hurt you with his passing.

"In training, John Hartson was ridiculous," he added. "You'd train with him and get eight studs in your ear. On a Friday, he'd attack you from all angles. Kevin Davies is difficult to play against - very physical. But there's not one player in particular who sticks out."

Ferdinand struggles

Ferdinand has been struggling against most strikers this season, with a series of high-profile errors proving costly for club and country.

The way in which Torres left him in his wake to put Liverpool ahead on Sunday was just the latest in a series of incidents leading to growing concerns about his ability to perform at the highest level.

But Ferdinand believes United still have the quality to win an unprecedented fourth successive title - even without Cristiano Ronaldo.

"To win the Premier League would be fantastic," he said. "It would be a great achievement, especially after all the changes in the summer. Anything after that would be a bonus."

Wayne Rooney, on the other hand, has his sights set on even more glory - even if he does admit that a repeat of the treble in 1999 would be a step too far.

"To win the treble doesn't happen often," he said. "If we can win two of the major trophies it would be a great achievement."

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stevi, france (29/10/2009 at 09:29)

mmmm...just wish he would stop waffling and concentrate on getting his form right because at the moment even I could be his hardest opponent.....

Scholesy passed me the ball..., England (29/10/2009 at 09:33)

Surely everyone is Ferdinand's toughest opponent at the moment.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (29/10/2009 at 09:57)

Not suprising to hear that the most physical opponents put the willies up ferdinand,for all his defensive attributes bravery really isn't one of them.

danny, WILMSLOW (29/10/2009 at 10:29)

He is in the wrong sport he should be in ladies football!

danny, WILMSLOW (29/10/2009 at 10:35)

At the moment he does not even desrve to play in the Carling cup squad,You can see how desperate the Bitters and Chelsea are to win some silver as both played full strengh teams as they know this is going to be their only chance to win anything,Liverpool have just lost it and yet again will end up potless and can,t even afford to pay for the players they have bought like Johnson.

Mark, South Manchester (29/10/2009 at 10:45)

Don't know how you can blame a supposedly "red faced" Ferdinand for the Fernando Torres goal Mr Robson. It was just a perfectly worked attacking move, impossible for any defender to deal with.
I'd rather blame Fergie for not buying Torres when he could have done actually!!

Balders!, W3106, Tier2 (29/10/2009 at 10:58)

dunnee, you could take his place then.....i hear Leeds ladies are top at the moment, though Arsenal have a game in hand !

Is It Me? (29/10/2009 at 11:42)

He has too many outside interests so his mind is elsewhere. United are paying him around 100K and should INSIST that he devotes all his time to the club instead of messing about with pop? music and making films! Also,I do wish he would desist from wearing his I pod when he is playing in a match!

I'm an 'impeccable' one ! 10 Feb '08, Florida (29/10/2009 at 11:48)

Fredrik, Sweden (29/10/2009 at 11:51)

Ferdinand is suffering from a dip in form, but how much protection did he get from our midfield against Liverpool? Will Fergie ever learn? Torres and Gerrard were allowed to run at Vidic at OT over and over again, and Torres was allowed to do it again last Sunday. Carragher is slower than both Vidic and Ferdinand but JC has Mascherano mopping up in front of him and tracking pacy strikers. Fergie sends out Carrick and Scholes, the slowest CMs in PL! Very cavaliere, but not very clever.

roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (29/10/2009 at 11:56)

danny, WILMSLOW 29/10/2009 at 10:35

at least one decent comment mate...

Ferdinand will surely find his form. He needs to focus.

His current form is frightening....

Nah lets give Blackburn something to think about and hammer the blues @
moscow bridge....

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (29/10/2009 at 12:14)

Easy to jump on the Ferdinand bashing waggon. The only mistake he made on Sunday was getting caught under a cross, something JOS does regularly. Such is the infrequency of play around Rio leading to a goal it gets highlighted ten fold in the media and then the masses are led to water and lap it up. Torres's goal was something Rio could do little about. Torres is faster and was heading towards goal. Rio came accross as cover but couldnt possibly get the right side to stop a shot. HOWEVER the mistakes were made by midfeild allowing liverpool to play four unchallenged passes. Benayoun had half the pitch and all day to pick his pass without pressure whilst Scholes and Carrick lumbered back. I made the point about the game at OT where the back four had no cover form midfeild and this was again the case ALL game on Sunday. Eventually the back four will crack under so much pressure. Rio is a great great player and with greater protection he will be back to his best.

Bert's Neck Brace, somerset (29/10/2009 at 12:16)

"You can see how desperate the Bitters and Chelsea are to win some silver as both played full strengh teams as they know this is going to be their only chance to win anything."
danny, WILMSLOW
29/10/2009 at 10:35

Forgive me but aren't Chelsea above you in the league and also at the same stage as you in all competitions???

Also I believe we rested several players such as Toure, Adebayor and Bellamy and had some injuries too.

By the sounds of things your not bothered about winning (which doesn't sound like any yoonited "fan" I've ever met) so you won't be too upset if we knock you out in the next round then will you!

Get your facts straight!

You know the one, you buy one ,you get one free., Blue Heaven (29/10/2009 at 12:50)

Yeah let's hope little ol Citeh get you in the next round and 'good ol Rio' has one of his blinders again.
Slightly different subject I know but if we play you at Eastlands will you leave our Hamburger stalls alone, that was all very 80's of you the other night wasn't it? Some people? never change do they. Fancy the Red army scaring all those poor girls.

chris, oxford (29/10/2009 at 12:50)

Well said Lee and others, when on form Rio is one of the best around. He doesn't look 100% fit to me but he will be back, of that I'm sure.

Maybe he also has a broken foot? ;-)

steve wilson (29/10/2009 at 12:55)

"....desperate the Bitters and Chelsea are to win some silver as both played full strengh teams" danny, WILMSLOW 29/10/2009 at 10:35

City 'Rested', Toure, Bellamy, Adebayor, Bridge and had Petrov & Robinho injured, hardly a full strength side !
I'm an 'impeccable' one ! 10 Feb '08, Florida
29/10/2009 at 11:48 Offensive or Inappropriate?

credit where credit is due;it was a brave move on your manager`s part to leave out such quality against the might of Scunthorpe.

P.S. were Keegan and Botham on their bench?

You know the one, you buy one ,you get one free., Blue Heaven (29/10/2009 at 13:03)

Ferdinand has been struggling against most strikers this season? Get away.

danny, WILMSLOW (29/10/2009 at 13:08)

TEVEZ nad Ireland are Cities best two players yet TEVEZ was not good enough to get a regular place at United.

Blue thru n thru, manchester (29/10/2009 at 13:20)

Ferdinand's gone at the game,his toughest opponent over the years was always Shaun Goater.Feed the Goat and he will score.
Oh and by the way i noticed all the pies and pasties were a real giveaway at Oakwell the other evening,somewhat of a steal hey lads ?? BRAVE MEN

Bert's Neck Brace, somerset (29/10/2009 at 13:25)

"TEVEZ nad Ireland are Cities best two players yet TEVEZ was not good enough to get a regular place at United."
danny, WILMSLOW
29/10/2009 at 13:08

Again you have your facts wrong!!!

They are 2 of our best players NOT the 2 best we have in total.

There's quality throughout this team.

Are you forgetting Adebayor, Robinho, Bellamy, Barry, De Jong???

Get back to the drawing board and get your facts straight if you're gonna throw mindless insults!

roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (29/10/2009 at 14:37)

you berties are funny as thug. lol

TBH even Berbatovs better than your superstars Adebayor and your GOAT
Robino.

Algernon Blabbermouth, eccles (29/10/2009 at 14:50)

I would assume that Rio's toughest opponent now is Old Father Time. Next month sees him hit 31 and he should still be at the peak of his power's,but he has lost a yard of pace this season. Hopefully playing regular football will see him pick up the pace again and all will be well. If not then we could witness a Jaap Stam moment. Either way it remains a fact that he has been a good 'un,the best in the country by far and a worthy contributor to our great history!
In Jonny Evans we see the influence of the footballing centre half Rio has been and his natural successor.

stevi, france (29/10/2009 at 15:28)

Bert's Neck Brace, somerset 29/10/2009 at 13:25

no he hadn't forgotten then he just didn't think there were worth mentioning....

"Get back to the drawing board and get your facts straight if you're gonna throw mindless insults!"

I suppose after all the years of practice you bitters have had, you would spot them quicker than most.....

Bert's Neck Brace, somerset (29/10/2009 at 15:38)

"no he hadn't forgotten then he just didn't think there were worth mentioning...."
stevi, france
29/10/2009 at 15:28

Shows what you 2 know about football then doesn't it!

Shall I leave you 2 alone to hold hands???

The Kid (29/10/2009 at 15:53)

I would say in his present form you could add Ralph Milne to this list.

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