England

Report: Rio Ferdinand Set For Manchester United Axe

Shape up, defender warned...

Oct 27, 2009 7:57:06 AM

Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United (Goal.com)

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Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United (Goal.com)

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Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has, according to The Sun, told Rio Ferdinand to lift his game or risk getting dropped - for both club and country.

The England centre-back has come under intense scrutiny amid a form slump that has seen him make some high-profile errors.

Ferdinand gifted Craig Bellamy a goal in the Manchester derby in September, and then contributed to the sending-off of England goalkeeper Robert Green after misjudging the flight of the ball against Ukraine in October.

The 30-year-old was also made to look the fool by Fernando Torres' pace and strength as the Reds striker scored in United's 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.

It is claimed that Ferdinand may be dropped for this weekend's home game against Blackburn Rovers, as Ferguson prepares to give young Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans an extended run in the side alongside Nemanja Vidic.

And Ferguson is understood to have warned the former West Ham United star that his England spot could also be at risk.

The United boss said in The Sun: "He has to get good form. That's an important issue for the coach to pick the right team.

"In defence you've maybe got more options than other positions. He'll need to get his form right."