Rio: Just One Win
Sun: RIO FERDINAND has called on Manchester United’s battered stars to show character and fight their way into the title race.
The champions have made a disastrous start to the season — drawing their first two matches and losing the big derby against City, who top the table.
They are already seven points adrift of the leaders and five behind main rivals Chelsea.
Boss Alex Ferguson has admitted United’s worst start in 15 years has left them with an uphill battle to retain the trophy.
But Ferdinand, 28, insists the Red Devils can turn things around.
The England centre-back said: “Just as we didn’t think we had the league title wrapped up when we won our first four games last season, we are not going to say we’ve lost it because we haven’t won in our first three this time.
“Of course it is disappointing and we’d obviously prefer to have more points on the board. We wanted to make a good start and we haven’t.
“But we just have to put it behind us and move on. There’s no point looking back, it’s about the future.
“Once we get a win under our belts more confidence will come.
“There is plenty of character at United but we need to get that victory as soon as possible. Hopefully, it’ll come against Spurs on Sunday.”
Striker Wayne Rooney is out for two months with a broken foot. But Ferdinand, speaking as he launched the paperback version of his autobiography Rio: My Story*, says United cannot make that an excuse.
He said: “Players will always get injured and you have to adapt. Wayne is a great player and you would prefer to have him in the team than see him on the sidelines.
“But you have to get on with it and it is a chance for others to show what they can do.
“It’s disappointing for Wazza to be out again. He has had a lot of bad luck with foot injuries. But he is not the sort of lad who gets too depressed.
“He is still a bubbly character while he is getting back to fitness and is working hard to be ready as soon as possible.”
Ferdinand also insists United’s struggles have nothing to do with trying to accommodate new players Nani, Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves.
He added: “All the new lads have fitted in really well. It is an easy squad to come into because everyone mixes well together and there is a good spirit. The start we have made will not affect that.
“Tevez has real quality and he can do some unbelievable things, while Nani and Anderson are top players and I’m delighted Owen has arrived.
“All those players will make us stronger.”
Hargreaves reckons United are being left in the shade because they are missing their stars.
Winger Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended as the Red Devils crashed at Eastlands and will also be absent for Sunday’s home crunch at Old Trafford.
And midfielder Hargreaves, 26, said: “We are missing Cristiano and Wayne. They are key players.
“We are going to miss those players at any time.”
He added: “We need to score goals. We have made chances but not taken them.
“It’s a shame we only have two points from three matches because, in those games, we have pretty much dominated possession and could easily have won all three.
“We’ve played all this attractive football but not won games.
“We will get there. But we need to win games. That is the most important thing.”
Hargreaves and Ferdinand must forget United’s troubles and focus on England’s Wembley friendly against Germany tomorrow.
The Three Lions then have five crucial qualifiers in 2½ months which will determine whether or not they will make the Euro 2008 finals.
Ferdinand said: “Germany will be tough but those qualifiers are what really matters.
“They are all must-win games. We want five wins out of five and then we know we will qualify.
“We’re fortunate that four of the five are at home. It is up to us to make sure we take advantage.”
