Telegraph:
‘To be deemed a major talent on the world stage, Ferdinand needs to concentrate for every second of every game, immerse himself completely in his craft, and treat any ball entering United's and England's defensive third as a harmful missile requiring urgent defusing.
‘Ferdinand can attend all the movie premieres he likes, model all the fashionable clothes he craves, but he must never forget one essential reality. Whenever he passes through immigration, officials will examine his passport and inspect the small print. His occupation declares him to be a "footballer". Ferdinand should not forget the reality that he will always be defined by what he achieves in 90 minutes' combat.
‘Presently, Ferdinand gives the impression of wanting to coast through games, playing the laid-back centre-back, when this blithe spirit should worry about lurking strikers and, equally pertinently, the lengthening queue of candidates to replace him for England against Austria on Saturday. Sol Campbell returns with a vengeance. John Terry is the Professional Footballers Association player of the year. Jamie Carragher is admired through Europe. Ledley King has never let England down. Think, Rio. Eriksson offers sinecures but even his patience may ebb one day.
‘Someone needs to replace the large cigar in Ferdinand's hand with a rocket. He has many friends. Many people like and care about such an engaging individual, yet no one seems prepared to voice a few home truths, observations that would make him a more accomplished proponent of his art. True comrades would shake him up. Perhaps that right-minded patriot Beckham could have a word.
‘His contract renegotiation, spectacularly ill-handled by the agent Pini Zahavi, further alienated supporters. Ferdinand has forgotten that he owes the United faithful, as well as Ferguson, for their support during his self-inflicted purdah.
‘So come on, Rio, step up to the plate. Deliver. Acquire some of Roy Keane's defiance. Your seemingly inexorable journey towards football's peaks has become sidetracked in the foot-hills of fame. Follow the Beckham path of relentless application. One of your former managers, David O'Leary, in that convoluted way of his, once said that "Ferdinand could grow into a natural defender". But you need a nudge.’
Times:
‘Rio Ferdinand has been one of the first names on Sven-Göran Eriksson’s teamsheet, but the defender’s form must be of continuing concern for the England head coach. Ferdinand’s reputation as one of the silkiest, calmest centre backs in the business has been dented by a string of tentative performances for Manchester United, raising questions about which defensive partnership would best help England to seal their place in next summer’s World Cup finals in Germany.
‘Ferdinand was arguably culpable for both of Fulham’s goals in United’s 3-2 win on Saturday and research carried out exclusively for The Times backs up claims that he has suffered an alarming dip in form this season. The figures show that he has won considerably fewer tackles compared with last term — a drop from 81 per cent to 55 per cent.
‘The accepted thought had appeared to be that Eriksson would continue with John Terry playing alongside Ferdinand against Austria on Saturday and Poland four days later. But some believe that combination to be in question after the United player’s patchy displays against Northern Ireland and Denmark recently, coupled with the authority that Sol Campbell has shown for Arsenal since he returned from injury.’