Rio Ferdinand must accept fewer games

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand must accept less games at the Old Trafford club or move on, says Red Devils former player Gary Pallister.

The England international has had an inconsistent start to the campaign, as injuries and the form of the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have limited the number of starts Ferdinand has made.

With rumours stating that the veteran could be in line for a move to the MLS, Pallister feels Ferdinand is no longer a given in Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

“Rio’s not finished by any stretch of the imagination,” Pallister told Mirror Football.

“He is still a fantastic player. In fact, he can be an ­important player for years at the club. But only if he accepts he can’t play every week. If he can’t accept that, he’ll have to move on.

“If Rio wants to start every match, he should go elsewhere. But if he accepts he’s not always playing, he should stay at United. I think he’ll accept that, as he loves the club and knows it’s a 24-man squad,” he concluded.

Pallister’s statements come fresh in the wake of Ferdinand’s omission from the England squad to face Spain and Sweden in upcoming international friendlies.

By Gareth McKnight