Rio fired up by competition

22 July 2011 14:38
Rio Ferdinand has warned the young challengers to his defensive throne that he has no intention of being eased out of Manchester United.[LNB] Earlier this week, Ferdinand spoke enthusiastically about the abilities of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and £17million new boy Phil Jones.[LNB]Having arrived on tour late due to their participation in the European Under-21 Championship with England, the latter pair are expected to make their first pre-season appearances in Saturday night's encounter with the Chicago Fire.[LNB]Ferdinand is keen to see what they can do.[LNB]The 32-year-old remembers exactly how he felt at the same stage of his career. He realises the talent is there, but merely stepping aside to let them in is a different proposition completely.[LNB]"I remember what I was like when I was young," he said.[LNB]"I remember looking up at Slaven Bilic, Marc Rieper, Alvin Martin and Steve Potts at West Ham.[LNB]"I was only a kid but I used to sit on the bench and think I should be playing. I am sure these guys think the same thing.[LNB]"If they have got anything about them they should.[LNB]"They are all talented footballers and, I believe, Manchester United players. At some point I am sure they will take over the reins.[LNB]"But I am competitive and I don't want to be giving up my position to anybody. My task is to prove I am hungrier than them."[LNB]Ferdinand's fun-loving outlook on life will ensure Jones in particular is not in awe of him.[LNB]After all, Evans and Smalling have already been exposed to the Londoner's brand of humour, and celebrated a Premier League title with him.[LNB]In any case, Ferdinand is adamant Sir Alex Ferguson would soon be aware if anyone was unable to do themselves justice because they were being intimidated by reputations.[LNB]"They can't be in awe of me," he said.[LNB]"If they are, they will get shipped out. That is the way it is.[LNB]"Your desire has to be to play. I understand and respect that. That is why they are here."[LNB]Ferguson has already made the point to Jones that Ferdinand has missed matches during the previous three seasons, heightening his chances of getting games.[LNB]Ferdinand has to live with that knowledge, knowing any problem will be seized upon with suspicion and worry, even when he only gets a tap on the ankle, as was the case in the final seconds of Wednesday's 7-0 rout of the Seattle Sounders.[LNB]In fact, the defender is feeling better than he has done for some time and insists there are no fitness concerns blighting his pre-season campaign.[LNB]"My fitness is OK," he said.[LNB]"I am nowhere near where I want to be yet but we have three weeks left.[LNB]"Last season, I had no problems with my back, which was a good thing, but I did pull my calf which kept me out for a chunk of the year.[LNB]"Hopefully this time around I won't have anything like that and I can continue to play a consistent amount of games."[LNB]New goalkeeper David De Gea is also set for his debut at Soldier Field, with many fans anxious to see whether the 20-year-old can match the heady expectations that have brought comparisons to Petr Cech from Ferguson himself.[LNB]The exit of Edwin van der Sar has brought an obvious pressure to perform, whilst Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos clearly have a vested interest in trying to make life as difficult as possible for De Gea.[LNB]Not that Ferdinand believes that should be an issue.[LNB]As he comes up to his 10th season at Old Trafford, he knows handling pressure is merely an extension of the job his team-mates have to perform.[LNB]"Over the years this club has been very successful," he said.[LNB]"In the last couple of years we have won trophies as well. It is great to see. But it does bring pressure.[LNB]"It is not overwhelming though. It is part of being a Manchester United player. You have to deal with all that stuff.[LNB]"It separates you from being a Manchester United player and not."

Source: Team_Talk