Fergie Hopes Rio Focuses on United

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Rio Ferdinand that his England exile will allow him to extend his career at Manchester United.

Ferdinand, 33, has not represented his country for 17 months and is in the last year of his current contract at Old Trafford.

The defender was excluded from the Euro 2012 squad by Roy Hodgson - for "footballing reasons", according to the England manager - but John Terry's retirement from international duty has prompted talk of a recall.

Hodgson was at Old Trafford on Saturday to watch Ferdinand, who won the last of his 81 caps in June 2011, struggle as Tottenham won 3-2. Ferguson insists the veteran still has the quality to excel for his country but feels it will be to Manchester United's benefit if he remains out of favour.

"Rio could do the job for England, there's no doubt about that, but I don't see why he should," the United manager said. "He should concentrate on his career here, that's what I'd prefer."

Ferguson will not attempt to influence the player's thinking, though. "I wouldn't stand in his way over England," he said. "It's his decision."

Ferdinand is in his 11th season at Old Trafford since his £30 million transfer from Leeds and Ferguson believes such longevity benefits United.

"Rio is at one of those lucky clubs that can keep players for long periods," Ferguson added. "Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic are now in their seventh seasons here. If you can keep the continuity of players for more than four or five years, you get a sense of loyalty. They feel part of everything."

Ferdinand's injury problems have limited his appearances in recent years but Ferguson added: "When you get back injuries in your 30s you have to be concerned, but we have managed it well."

He also urged the 33-year-old to use United's two senior citizens as examples of how to extend his playing days.

"Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are still playing," he said. "If he looks after himself and continues to manage the situation with his back, there's no reason why he can't play on."

Fletcher: A 'Dream' to Captain United

Darren Fletcher said it was a dream come true to captain Manchester United for the first time in their 2-1 Capital One Cup victory over Newcastle on Wednesday.

Fletcher, 28, made his first start for 10 months in the Old Trafford fixture, after recovering from the effects of a chronic bowel problem.

And as the senior figure in a youthful team, the Scotland captain was given the United armband - something he was very proud of.

"It's my first time as captain of Manchester United," he told the club's television channel. "It's a fantastic moment, something you dream about.

"Obviously, having done it for my country means a lot but to do it for United as well [is incredible]. However, the most important thing, despite all these things like me coming back and being captain, was for us to win the game."

Fletcher made a substitute appearance against Galatasaray last week, his first senior game since the 2-2 draw with Benfica in November 2011.

Another player returning to the starting line-up against Newcastle was Wayne Rooney, who had been out for a month with a thigh injury.

Rooney, 26, played at the tip of a midfield diamond, with Fletcher at the base, and impressed the stand-in captain with his performance.

"Wayne was slotting in behind the strikers and enjoying it," he said. "He was getting on the ball, pinging it wide left and right and using his experience. He's a fantastic player with great imagination and enthusiasm and it's great for United to have a lot of players competing for places."

Fletcher also praised centre-backs Scott Wootton and Michael Keane, who both made their first United starts in an inexperienced defence.

"They were fantastic," he added. "They were talking to me the whole game. For two young centre-halves playing against good strikers they were fantastic. All the lads were."

Supporters' Group Condemns Chants

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust has reinforced the views of the club's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, by calling for an end to chants about the Hillsborough disaster.

United's 4-0 win over Wigan was tainted by a minority of fans singing that Liverpool supporters were 'Always the victim'. The song is about United's belief that Liverpool never take any responsibility for their actions. Certain members of the United faithful claim the words relate to Patrice Evra's run-in with Luis Suarez last season, but it is widely acknowledge to be a reference to the disasters at Heysel and Hillsborough.

A spokesperson for United said the club 'deplore' such songs. In a statement, United said: "The manager has made the club's position very clear on this matter. It is now up to the fans to respect that.''

The tension between clubs will be increased when they face each other at Anfield next Sunday. MUST has tried to calm the situation by releasing a statement of their own.

MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo said: "Following this week's developments and release of revelatory information on the Hillsborough tragedy, MUST wishes to make it absolutely clear that just as we condemn chants mocking the Munich air disaster we also condemn any chants relating to Hillsborough or indeed any other human tragedy.

"We did hear the usual anti-Liverpool chants at the match today but we're pleased to say, despite some reports to the contrary, there was nothing that was specifically referencing Hillsborough.

"Any attempt to suggest otherwise is irresponsible given the forthcoming fixture between the clubs and furthermore risks needlessly upsetting the bereaved families further at a time when they are understandably trying to find closure.

"We enjoy a fierce rivalry but these issues transcend that rivalry.

"We agree 100% with the statement made by Sir Alex Ferguson - this is the time for supporters of these two great clubs to represent their clubs with the integrity and honour that our glorious history demands.''

United Trio to Pass Landmarks

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to his three most experienced players, as the Manchester United trio prepare to reach milestones.

Paul Scholes, 37, is set to play his 700th game for the club in all competitions when Wigan visit Old Trafford on Saturday while Ryan Giggs, 38, will become the first man to make 600 Premier League appearances if he takes the field.

And Rio Ferdinand, 33, will represent United for the 400th time with Ferguson attributing their longevity to the sacrifices they have made, meaning between the three of them they will have made over 2000 appearances for the club.

Giggs has played 910 times for United, a club record, having debuted in 1991. He turns 39 in November and is the only player to appear in all 21 seasons of the Premier League.

And Ferguson tipped him to carry into his 40s, saying: "My personal feeling is that Ryan can play for another couple of years."

Scholes initially retired in 2011 but returned in January and will join Giggs and Sir Bobby Charlton in the select group of footballers to have played 700 times for United.

Ferguson said: "Paul's a different physical specimen to Ryan and he's had his injuries - two knee injuries, and an eye injury - and yet he's playing his 700th game. It's phenomenal."

Ferdinand joined United from Leeds in 2002 and completed a decade at Old Trafford this summer. Since the retirements of Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar, he has been the third most senior figure on the playing staff.

"Rio's playing his 400th game," Ferguson said. "It's a landmark for the three players and it's a great example to the younger players about what can be achieved if they sacrifice in football. These players have done that or they would never have got to this stage."

Anderson Demands Success

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has said his club has to win a trophy this season after the disappointment of last season.

United suffered a frustrating trophy-less season last campaign, losing the title to rivals Manchester City on goal difference, as well as getting knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage.

And Anderson, 24, who joined Old Trafford from Porto in 2007, believes last season's performance is not good enough for a club of United's stature and that they should be winning every trophy they compete for.

"We have to do better," he told the club's official website. "Manchester United has to win every trophy and we're disappointed if we don't. There's always pressure to do well when you play for this club. Last season we lost the league on goal difference and everybody was sad. But we have to forget that and concentrate on this season."

Barring the defeat against Everton in their Premier League opener, United's season has got off to a good start with the Reds sitting in fifth after three games and the team creating plenty of opportunities in the final third, while their new signings have bedded in well.

"I think the team looks good," Anderson added. "At the beginning of the season it's always difficult but we've got a couple of wins and now we want more. Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie have a lot of quality. They make it easier for the rest of the team when they have so much talent. It also means everybody works harder to try and keep their own place."

Anderson has struggled to fulfil his potential since joining the club, with injury ruling him out for extended periods last season. He has only made one start this term.

Rooney: I never fell out with Ronaldo

Wayne Rooney has insisted he did not fall out with Cristiano Ronaldo over the winger's part in his sending off in the 2006 World Cup.

Rooney, 26, was shown a red card for stamping on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho before the Portuguese eliminated Sven-Goran Eriksson's side on penalties.

But Ronaldo's attempt to get his Manchester United team-mate dismissed - and his subsequent wink to the dugout - made him unpopular in England.

England striker Rooney said he warned Ronaldo, then a Manchester United colleague, immediately after the game that he could expect to be demonised.

He said the incident had amused the pair's club colleagues, who brought a pair of boxing gloves to the first day of training.

Rooney continues to insist his collision with Carvalho was not deliberate. "It looked bad, but actually it was a total accident," he said in My Decade In The Premier League, which is being serialised in the Daily Mirror.

"As I protested my innocence, Ronnie started waving an imaginary card around, getting in the ref's face. The official pulled out the red and I was off. I knew I couldn't really blame Ronaldo for what had happened because he was trying to win the game for his country.

"Besides, in the first half I'd tried to get him booked for diving, so I was as bad as him really. But moments after my card, Ronaldo started winking at the sidelines, and to people watching the game on the telly it looked bad, like he was dead pleased about it.

"All hell broke loose. Everyone immediately decided that Ronaldo and I were the best of enemies, and his wink would spell trouble for United in the coming months."

At the time, it was reported that Ronaldo would join Real Madrid. Instead, he and Rooney remained team-mates at United for another three years, winning three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League.

Rooney: I Was 'Lucky'

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has revealed that the badly gashed leg he suffered against Fulham two weeks ago could have been far more serious and was close to severing an artery.

Rooney, 26, sustained a serious cut after being innocently caught by the stray studs of Hugo Rodallega, and he faces up to two months out while he recovers and builds his fitness back up. He hopes to be back within a month but the position of the cut, above his knee, means training will be almost impossible until it has healed.

And the England international insisted that the medical staff allowed him to watch them tend to the wound even though they advised against it.

"I was quite lucky it didn't cut my muscle," said Rooney. "But I was told it was just one millimetre away from severing an artery. It could have been a lot worse so thank God for that. I could have been in serious trouble.

"The doctors said a lot of players could have fainted [with the injury]. They tried to cover it up from me in the dressing room and put something in to stop it being infected, but I told them I wanted to watch.

"Thankfully, their prompt action prevented serious and possible lasting damage."

Tosic Regrets United Departure

Ex-Manchester United player Zoran Tosic has expressed a sense of regret at leaving the club too hastily after struggling to break into the first team.

Tosic, 25, arrived at Old Trafford from Partizan Belgrade in 2009 for £7 million with a big weight of expectation on his shoulders after impressing in the Serbian league.

However, United had plans to bed him into English football gently and he only made two appearances for the club during his first year before being sent out on loan to Cologne.

Frustrated with the situation, and after just 18 months in England, the Serbia international departed for CSKA Moscow. Tosic now admits he should have bided his time at the club and waited for an opportunity to arise.

"It all happened really quickly as I played for just 18 months with Partizan Belgrade," he told the Daily Record. "We won the league and the cup and there was a period when it seemed like I was scoring in every match.

"It was at that point I signed for Manchester United. It was such an exciting moment to go there and to meet Sir Alex (Ferguson). I had grown up as a United fan so to be working for the man who had brought so much success to the club was just unbelievable. However, there is a big difference between the Serbian and English league and when I arrived in Manchester I discovered I was not yet ready for that level.

"Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick and should have worked longer to show Sir Alex. I spoke with Sir Alex many times and he kept telling me I had quality and just had to keep working hard. But I wanted to play more games so went to Cologne in Germany on loan and had a great six months there.

"When I came back to Manchester I was expecting to play more games for United but it didn't happen. In the end I wasn't sure I was going to get the chance I felt I deserved so decided to change club. Even now I am always thinking about that moment. Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick and should have worked longer to show Sir Alex. Maybe I should have stayed and fought for my place. This was Man United after all."

Zenit in Nani Transfer Talks

Zenit St Petersburg have confirmed they are negotiating for the £25 million capture of Manchester United winger Nani.

The Russian transfer window closes on Thursday, and Zenit are determined to add a couple of big names to their squad, with Nani and Joao Moutinho their two top targets.

Zenit recently acquired Hulk and Axel Witsel for a combined €80 million, and the spending will not stop there if Nani can be tempted from Old Trafford.

The Portugal international did not enjoy the best of starts to the new Premier League season, turning in a poor display at Everton that saw him subbed and then dropped from the next game.

With United looking blessed for midfield options with Shinji Kagawa settling in quickly at the club, Nani could be tempted to move to Russia, particularly if it is to join countryman Moutinho.

Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov said on Thursday: "It's true we are negotiating for Nani and Moutinho, but Hulk and Witsel were our top priorities."

Should Nani leave, his final appearance at United will be Sunday's 3-2 win over Southampton, when he came on for the final 29 minutes to help inspire a comeback.