Former Manchester United centre-half Gary Pallister has hailed the present incumbent, Rio Ferdinand, as Europe's leading defender.
Gary Pallister, who formed an impressive and successful central defensive partnership with Steve Bruce in the 1990s, believes the current United centre-back, Rio Ferdinand, has established himself as Europe’s best in that position.
Ferdinand’s career has not always run smoothly at Old Trafford - he incurred the wrath of United fans three years ago with a protracted contract impasse after the club had supported him through an eight-months ban for missing a drugs test. But he committed himself to the Red Devils eventually, and extended that commitment by signing a new deal with a minimum of fuss last season.
As well, he has matured into a top class defender, hailed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson for his contribution and importance to the team.
Banishing speculation that he hankered for a return to London, Ferdinand has won successive Premier League titles as a Red Devil, and captained United to Champions League glory in Moscow last May.
Ex-United star Pallister, for one, has been impressed. He told Setanta Sports agead of the broadcaster’s live coverage of the Vodacom Cup between United and either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates at 2.30pm on Saturday: "When Rio is at his best, there is no finer defender in Europe. He has pace, is composed and uses the ball intelligently.
"We all know he had a difficult time with his contract negotiations and before that the missed drugs test. But these are the kind of events that make you stronger and Rio is now fulfilling all the potential people knew he had."
Pallister added that he would not be surprised if Ferdinand, 29, got the nod from Fabio Capello to become the next permanent England skipper.
“Rio Ferdinand has excelled as a captain and a leader," he said. "Those qualities first came to the fore at Leeds and now they are doing so at Old Trafford.
"He has grown into the job and United really benefited from that last season when Gary Neville was out.
"Rio has all the credentials required to captain United all the time. That job is currently taken by Gary but it would not shock me at all if he got the job for England."
While Pallister was at his best alongside Bruce, so he feels that Nemanja Vidic has been perfect for Ferdinand at United, declaring: "Rio and Nemanja Vidic have been absolutely sensational over the last couple of seasons.
“Playing alongside a more physical, aggressive type of player seems to have got the best out of Rio and taken him to another level.
"You could say it was a similar thing for me with Steve Bruce. But there is no doubt Rio feeds off Vidic and vice-versa."
Gary Pallister, who formed an impressive and successful central defensive partnership with Steve Bruce in the 1990s, believes the current United centre-back, Rio Ferdinand, has established himself as Europe’s best in that position.
Ferdinand’s career has not always run smoothly at Old Trafford - he incurred the wrath of United fans three years ago with a protracted contract impasse after the club had supported him through an eight-months ban for missing a drugs test. But he committed himself to the Red Devils eventually, and extended that commitment by signing a new deal with a minimum of fuss last season.
As well, he has matured into a top class defender, hailed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson for his contribution and importance to the team.
Banishing speculation that he hankered for a return to London, Ferdinand has won successive Premier League titles as a Red Devil, and captained United to Champions League glory in Moscow last May.
Ex-United star Pallister, for one, has been impressed. He told Setanta Sports agead of the broadcaster’s live coverage of the Vodacom Cup between United and either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates at 2.30pm on Saturday: "When Rio is at his best, there is no finer defender in Europe. He has pace, is composed and uses the ball intelligently.
"We all know he had a difficult time with his contract negotiations and before that the missed drugs test. But these are the kind of events that make you stronger and Rio is now fulfilling all the potential people knew he had."
Pallister added that he would not be surprised if Ferdinand, 29, got the nod from Fabio Capello to become the next permanent England skipper.
“Rio Ferdinand has excelled as a captain and a leader," he said. "Those qualities first came to the fore at Leeds and now they are doing so at Old Trafford.
"He has grown into the job and United really benefited from that last season when Gary Neville was out.
"Rio has all the credentials required to captain United all the time. That job is currently taken by Gary but it would not shock me at all if he got the job for England."
While Pallister was at his best alongside Bruce, so he feels that Nemanja Vidic has been perfect for Ferdinand at United, declaring: "Rio and Nemanja Vidic have been absolutely sensational over the last couple of seasons.
“Playing alongside a more physical, aggressive type of player seems to have got the best out of Rio and taken him to another level.
"You could say it was a similar thing for me with Steve Bruce. But there is no doubt Rio feeds off Vidic and vice-versa."
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