NO WONDER WE LOST ON SATURDAY

Last updated : 03 November 2004 By Editor

Gary Neville carries on the bizarre official big-Rio-up-at-every-opportunity policy:

"Rio Ferdinand is one of the best defenders England has ever had and I am not being too kind to him when I say that.

"He has absolutely everything you would want. He is 6ft 4in and has a towering presence. He can read the game, he has speed, reaction and composure on the ball. He really is an unbelievable player.

"He is a towering figure at Manchester United, in the same manner Sol Campbell is at Arsenal.

"Everywhere he needs to be, he seems to be there. Hopefully the players he has around him at Old Trafford can give him the trophies his career will deserve because I truly believe Rio can go on to become whatever he wants to be."

Meanwhile in the Sun:

Gary Neville has caused a storm by claiming Rio Ferdinand is the best England defender EVER.

World Cup-winner Jack Charlton led the outcry, branding the claim an insult.

“Ferdinand the best ever? Not at all. To call him the best totally demeans the efforts of all the great centre-backs that have gone before him. In the past 20 years there have been Terry Butcher, Sol Campbell and Tony Adams.

“What about Neil Franklin, Billy Wright — not to mention Bobby Moore?”