Source: Daily_Mail
Rio Ferdinand channels his energy into staying fit and bringing trophies to Old Trafford
Rio Ferdinand is sick of the sight of Manchester United's treatment table. [LNB]The England captain has been beset by injury problems over the past couple of years.Persistent groin and back problems restricted Ferdinand to just 13 Barclays Premier League appearances last season.[LNB]Then a 'freak' collision with Emile Heskey on the first day of England's World Cup training camp in Bafokeng robbed Ferdinand's chance to lead Fabio Capello side's ill-fated campaign and caused him to miss first month of this season.[LNB]But thanks to a little fatherly love from Sir Alex Ferguson - and the occasional yoga session - Ferdinand is back at the forefront of Manchester United's trophy charge.[LNB] Write caption here[LNB]Despite missing United's last two games due to a groin injury that could also keep the United hero out of tomorrow's FA Cup clash against Southampton, Ferdinand is adamant his lengthy spells in the Carrington injury room are a thing of the past.[LNB]'I've got rid of all the doubts over my injuries now. I don't have those little worries at the back of my mind,' Ferdinand told Sportsmail. [LNB]'Thankfully, the back is alright now, it's not a problem anymore. I'm finding a decent level of consistency which I'm happy about. Long may that continue. [LNB]'The manager has managed me through it well. The most important thing for me was over the Christmas period when I played three games in six days.[LNB]'That really proved that I am over it all. I've been doing yoga since the summer and I've found it beneficial. I really enjoy it and it has been good for me. [LNB] Get the message: Chadderton players at their E.ON Energy Fit clubhouse along with Rio Ferdinand[LNB]'The proof is in the pudding with Ryan Giggs - he's well into his yoga. He's still fantastic despite his age and some of that may be down to the yoga.'[LNB]Though he may not admit it, Ferguson's decision to take the Old Trafford captaincy away from Ferdinand and giving it to his central-defensive colleague Nemanja Vidic seems to be a masterstroke.[LNB]The duo have looked inpenetratable for much of the season and have provided the foundations for the top-flight's most prolific attack. [LNB]But despite their unbeaten league record this season, criticism is still been levelled at United - in particular for their patchy away form.[LNB]However, Ferdinand insists it is points not performances that interest him. He said: 'Football is a results-driven industry and if you are winning games you are happy. [LNB]'Everyone ideally would want to play expansive football. People keep saying we are not playing well, but I don't think that's necessarily true.[LNB]'What I think is that we are not playing well consistently throughout games. We are having spurts in games. [LNB]'Like against Blackpool on Tuesday night, we had a 25-minute spell when we turned into the team we know we are and turned a 2-0 defeat into a 3-2 win. [LNB] No waste: Rio Ferdinand at Chadderton's purpose-built clubhouse[LNB]E.ON ENERGY FIT England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand visited ChaddertonFootball Club in Oldham to officially unveil the club's new-lookclubhouse and facilities as part of a ?40,000 energy efficiencymakeover undertaken by energy company and FA Cup sponsor, E.ON. Theenergy makeover, which forms part of E.ON's Energy Fitcampaign, is designed to provide homes, businesses and, in this case,football clubs with practical solutions to help cut costs by reducingenergy consumption. Supported by Rio Ferdinand, the Energy Fit Squad -a team of skilled energy saving experts - has spent the past threeweeks busily overhauling the fabric of the buildings.To understand how E.ON's Energy Fit campaign can help save you money on your energy bill for your home or football club, go to www.eonenergyfit.com[LNB]'When people say we are not playing well overall, I think it's a bit of a misjudgement because in parts of games we are playing some superb stuff. The results have been good so we will take that.[LNB]'As a fan, a manager, a player or supporter you would rather have the game sewn up in the first half if you can. But it's not always like that.[LNB]'You just have to deal with the situation that arises. We've been in situations when we've been one or two down - but we've shown the steel and heart to come back.'[LNB]With two-and-a-half years still left to run on his current United contract, Ferdinand still has plenty of opportunity to display that 'steel and heart' at the Theatre of Dreams.[LNB]But euphoric Champions League nights and captaining England are a far cry from Ferdinand's first steps in football.[LNB]The 31-year-old, is an ambassador for E.ON's Energy Fit campaign, a scheme that invests in grass roots facilities across the country.[LNB]And Ferdinand, who graduated from West Ham's academy, added: 'Schemes like the E.ON Energy Fit campaign are important to help make local football much more enjoyable. [LNB]'It's not only football that benefits either - we can all do our bit.I've got energy efficient lightbulbs and always make my children turnoff their PS3s when they've finished playing with them.[LNB]'It's not great when you've just got five minutes worth of hot water. I remember when I played Sunday mornings and I used to get changed in the car or sitting in the boot - it's not always enjoyable.[LNB]'But now I'm playing at Manchester United, I don't think about playing anywhere else. I want to finish my career playing for United - that's my aim. [LNB]'That's why I'm putting my all into it on the training pitch, so when the day comes when I do have to retire it'll be at Manchester United.'[LNB] Sir Alex is the greatest in the world! Former Saints boss McMenemy hails Manchester United's legendary boss FergusonCarlos Queiroz tells Manchester United to plunder Portugal for Sporting Lisbon's Rui PatricioThe return of the Saints: As Southampton prepare to face Manchester United, all memories turn to 1976Vidic has been player of the year, says Manchester United legend PallisterPolice release suspect's picture after man is found tied up and stabbed in trunk of his own BMW Mourinho issues come-and-get-me plea to City, United and ChelseaAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Emile Heskey, Alex Ferguson, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs, Fabio Capello Places: United Kingdom
