How Fergie's stable of stars shunned their countries, but is he really a baddie or is the Scot just doing the best job for United?

By Adam Shergold

|


We thought it was all over - it almost certainly is now.

If Rio Ferdinand's body isn't up to the demands of two games in five days against San Marino and Montenegro, then what hope of his dream swansong at next summer's World Cup in Brazil?

When Roy Hodgson wrote off Ferdinand's international future on the Jubilee Line last October, few raised an eyebrow. He was past it anyway and younger, less injury-prone options were available.

Rio Ferdinand playing for England

The Continual Struggle: Rio Ferdinand's decision to withdraw from the England squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying double-header to continue his injury treatment will have pleased Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (below left) and been a source of disappointment for Roy Hodgson (right). But there are many precedents to Ferdinand in the club versus country debate between United and national teams.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
England manager Roy Hodgson
 

But after a fine season at the heart of Manchester United's defence and a crisis of England centre-halves retiring or falling victim to injuries, Rio was recalled.

Unfortunately, the very particular routine of training, treatment, rehab and yoga that Ferdinand goes through on a daily basis to make the United teamsheet every weekend simply doesn't allow for England duty this time round.

The March international fortnight is a luxury Ferdinand can't afford to miss. With United facing a series of season-defining matches, they need him in peak condition and his scheduled visits to back specialists in Munich and Milton Keynes, not to mention his constant assessment at Carrington, are essential.

But for all Ferdinand's keenness to represent his country again, you have to feel that this withdrawal doesn't bode well for his England future.

Revival: Ferdinand's absence from England duty has coincided with the return of some of his best United form, vindicating Ferguson

Revival: Ferdinand's absence from England duty has coincided with the return of some of his best United form, vindicating Ferguson

It's because of the Ferguson factor.

The United manager made it abundantly clear on Friday, in his well-practised and very subtle way, that Ferdinand would be risking that delicate balance of form and fitness that is keeping him going at United if he started going off on international duty again.

Ferguson did not say that Ferdinand should not play for England again, but he made abundantly clear the many reasons why he shouldn't.

It certainly isn't the first time Ferguson has lobbed the ball back into a player's court over the club versus country debate in this fashion.

If he had his way, Ferguson wouldn't let any of the squad out of his sight during international breaks.

They would concentrate solely on the 60 or so matches that Manchester United play each season, devoting their bodies and minds exclusively to the cause without interruption.

Mastermind: Ferdinand's withdrawal from international duty makes him only the latest United player to turn their back on their country under Ferguson

Mastermind: Ferdinand's withdrawal from international duty makes him only the latest United player to turn their back on their country under Ferguson

They would never come back tired, injured or distracted from the relentless pursuit of trophies.

There are plenty of precedents to the ongoing Ferdinand situation to give weight to the suggestion that Ferguson's comments about Ferdinand are for the player's own good.

Plenty of people gasped in shock when Paul Scholes decided to retire from England in August 2004, just shy of 30 - but he may not be playing now if he hadn't.

Although infuriated by Sven Goran Eriksson's insistence that he played on the left, it's more telling that Scholes cited his club career as more important.

While England continue to fail at tournaments, Scholes is about to win his 11th Premier League title.

Still going strong: Paul Scholes, who retired from England duty in 2004, continues to excel at 38 and is set to win a 11th Premier League title

Still going strong: Paul Scholes, who retired from England duty in 2004, continues to excel at 38 and is set to win a 11th Premier League title

Ryan Giggs, too, stepped down from Wales duty after 16 years in May 2007. He was 34.

Still going strong and still showing his class in United's midfield, there is no doubt the decision to lighten his busy schedule helped extend his career. He is about to be rewarded with a 13th title.

Both have, in the intervening years, considered answering the call of their respective countries.

Ferguson would have talked them out of it, stressing that United was more important than the pursuit of past glories and that long-term gains are better than short-term emergencies.

He will do the same with Ferdinand.

Evergreen: Ryan Giggs, who retired from international football in 2007, continues to perform brilliantly

Evergreen: Ryan Giggs, who retired from international football in 2007, continues to perform brilliantly

Nemanja Vidic, another player dogged by injuries, packed in playing for Serbia in October 2011 after fans criticised his performances, while Park Ji-Sung was another who retired from international duty at a relatively young age (30) during his time at Old Trafford.

Wes Brown had become a regular starter in England's defence under Fabio Capello, having waited patiently for an international chance.

But when selected for a friendly with Hungary in August 2010, he surprised all by withdrawing and retiring a day later.

Unfortunately for Brown, stripping an extra 12 games from his schedule each year did not spare his body from injury - or save his United career.

Recall: Michael Carrick benefited hugely from concentrating just on United and is in the form of his life - ironically forcing him back into England contention

Recall: Michael Carrick benefited hugely from concentrating just on United and is in the form of his life - ironically forcing him back into England contention

There are rare exceptions.

Edwin van der Sar, veteran of well over 100 caps for Holland, was persuaded to step down after Euro 2008 to focus on United's defence of their Premier League and Champions League titles - and prolong his career into his forties.

But he made a return four months later for another qualification campaign, though he didn't make it through to the finals and only added a couple more caps.

Ferguson would have felt vindicated when he called it a day again.

Michael Carrick's international career with England looked over last year when he said he would help Roy Hodgson out only 'in extremis.'

Ferguson would argue it's no coincidence the 31-year-old has found the finest form of his career since -  likely leading, ironically, to further international recognition.

As the Ferdinand saga again proves, however, it's Ferguson that is most persuasive in the eternal 'club v country' debate.

P.S. The inspiration behind our Ferguson mock-up is, of course, one of the most famous James Bond villains - Ernst Stavro Blofeld - who appeared in three of Ian Fleming's novels and six of the films. 


 

The comments below have not been moderated.

Yet more absolute crap from the mail. One of the worst papers around.

Click to rate     Rating   1

people are hard to please , when Rio was left out of the squad and he tweeted about it people said it was good for him cuz they needed younger defender . After he was re-called people kept on going that England is doomed and Rio is not good enough . Now the poor guy decided to help grant your wish to not be included in the squad and you call him arrogant. His got his pride remember . y'all are hard to please

Click to rate     Rating   1

Instant Classic.... Backbone of the England Squad???? That's maybe why England have been so poor over the last 20 years!!!!

Click to rate     Rating   1

Don't forget Roy Keane. @Legend

Click to rate     Rating   1

That Ferguson telling Van der Sar to retire from international football at 38 what a disgrace!!!!

Click to rate     Rating   6

Are man utd fans able to make a point without saying 'ABU' all the time? It sounds like a playground saying.

Click to rate     Rating   5

fergie has way too much time on his hands!! concentrate on hiis own team- no reason they got knocked out the cup the other n8

Click to rate     Rating   (0)

Why is Fergie bald!? - BEE, mindin my own buzzness, 19/3/2013 15:47 ------------------------- It is his own fitting tribute to the one person in his squad that he absolutely dreads retiring.....Howard Webb :) - LORNAO , LONDON, United Kingdom, 19/3/2013 18:00.............HAHAHAHAHAHA Brilliant comment

Click to rate     Rating   1

Fergie provides england with the most talent every year so I suggest you grow up. Sir Alex Ferguson has provided England with Beckham, Butt, Scholes, G & P Neville, Cleverley, Rooney, Welbeck, Young, Jones, Smalling, Brown, Carrick, Hargreaves, Ince, Irwin, Parker, Ferdinand, Robson, Cole, Sheringham, Pallister, Sharpe through out his time managing Manchester United, to which they provide the back bone of the England squad. - Instant Classic, England, United Kingdom, 19/3/2013 14:05..........Dennis Irwin is IRISH! and out of the 23 players you mentioned, only SEVEN are brought through the ranks (Beckham, Butt, Scholes, G & P Neville, Cleverley and Brown) all the others were MASSIVE transfers at the time........ (Even Robson was British Transfer fee bought by Big Ron) Rooney £26 Million, Hargreaves £17M Young £17M, Jones £17M, Smalling £12M..down to Pallister who was another British record fee - etc etc.....Jesus, you don't even know your own history!

Click to rate     Rating   9

Disgrace scotch haggis man

Click to rate     Rating   2

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

You have 1000 characters left.
Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.
For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.
Terms