LONDON: Alex Ferguson believes a rejuvenated Rio Ferdinand should go to the Euro 2012 Finals this summer.

Ferguson says his 33-year-old centreback has been the key to Manchester United’s march towards a 20th League Championship title.

United have hunted down rivals Manchester City with seven straight domestic victories thus far, and Ferdinand, written off in some circles earlier this season, playing in every one of them.

The United boss said recently he expected six of his players – Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones – to be in the England squad.

Now, he has added Ferdinand, who has had calf, hamstring and back problems for the past three years, to the list.

Ferguson said: Rio has had to change his game. He can’t rely on his pace the way he used to as a kid. He was such a pure athlete and he was so mobile he could outrun anyone.

“He used to take advantage of that. He can’t do that now so his positioning has improved and he plays a bit deeper than he used to.

“Now his experience is a vital part of his game. He has gone a long way to helping Jonny Evans come on and the young keeper (David de Gea), too.

“He has had a lot of responsibility with (Nemanja) Vidic being out. His form is probably his most consistent for a long time.”

Ferdinand, in the continued absence of the injured Vidic, has been a big factor as Ferguson’s team have kept four successive clean sheets in the League. — Agencies

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