Rio Ferdinand may not return for England in next week’s World Cup qualifiers after being recalled by Roy Hodgson.
Sir Alex Ferguson said he was “surprised” at the centre-back’s inclusion in Hodgson’s squad for next Friday’s game against San Marino and the match in Montenegro the following Tuesday.
Injury-hit Ferdinand, 34, was furious after he was snubbed by Hodgson for last summer’s European Championship and won the last of his 81 caps in June 2011. Ferguson would clearly prefer the defender remained at Old Trafford during the international break as Manchester United target another Premier League title.
“I was as surprised as anyone when I heard,” said Ferguson.
“I need to speak to the [United] doctor because we prepare Rio in a certain way and there are certain treatments he has to go through.
“He has to make sure he is going to be okay in terms of the number of games he plays. We have been doing that for two years and it has worked. We have to look at all these things before Rio decides [if he joins up].
“The procedures have been the same all season which has given him fantastic performance levels when he’s playing for us.
“We have to consider that and Rio is considering that. And we’ll see what the outcome of that is.”
If Ferdinand did not report for international duty next week, it would be a major embarrassment for the England manager given his climbdown from previous statements that he had “moved on” from the defender.
