Media Unspun

The rumours have been going around that Rio Ferdinand would be at Queens Park Rangers this summer, but, the player himself refused to admit that in one of his columns for a daily.

In that column which got published yesterday, Ferdinand repeated that he would definitely be joining a new team, but, he wrote that he had no idea which team it’s going to be.

Ferdinand’s contract with Manchester United ended at the end of the last season and the Red Devils didn’t give him contract extension as expected. So, the veteran defender is a free agent at this point of time.

The reports had come through that he had reached an agreement with the Rangers and thus, he would be at the Loftus Road Stadium during the upcoming English season, but, Ferdinand never officially commented on that.

Now, through one of his columns, the Englishmen who can be considered as a Manchester United legend after having played for them for so many years has made it clear that his future is uncertain.

Ferdinand wrote, “I have been in touch with quite a few clubs, both in England as well as away, but, things are far from being certain at this point of time. May be in near future, I would be in a position to tell you guys more, but, for the time being, I am just looking to do as well as I can as a pundit in the BBC studio.”

Ferdinand has been in Brazil since the last couple of weeks giving his expert opinions on the World Cup matches. He has been very straightforward in his opinions unlike some of the other experts and that’s why, he is being liked by a lot of people in this new role.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has stated that England manager Roy Hodgson should consider giving Ross Barkley a start at the World Cup 2014. England were knocked out of the competition after just two matches in the group stage. This has rendered the final group match against Costa Rica as meaningless. In order to make use of this match, Hodgson is expected to name a different starting line-up and give some game time to other players in the squad. Barkley was included in the squad at the expense of Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick.

However, he has only been used as a substitute in the two defeats against Italy and Uruguay. Ferdinand believes that the Everton midfielder has justified his place in the squad and that he should get an opportunity to start a match at the World Cup. He believes that this will help the player to get experience of top-level football, which will be important as he progresses in his career. The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the finest midfielders for England as follows the future goes, but he should get the experience of such matches according to Ferdinand.

A veteran of three world cups, Ferdinand is expected to join QPR on a free transfer once the transfer window opens. “I think it’s a young squad so why not see what they’re about. I’d love to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain play, Barkley get a few more minutes, Lallana too and I’d like to see Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling as well. There’s loads of them in the squad that would benefit from having a few minutes on the pitch. I’d love to be playing as it’s a beautiful place to play football and everyone loves it,” said Ferdinand about the opportunities for young players and the World Cup.

Dutch national team boss Louis van Gaal has claimed that his team is fit and ready to go for the World Cup 2014. This will be his final tournament in charge of the national team after the 62-year-old has announced his desire to join Manchester United after the end of this tournament. Van Gaal, who took over in 2012, has managed to transform the fortunes of the team once again following a disappointing Euro 2012. He’ll be hoping to at least reach the semifinals or the finals of this year’s tournament due to the strength in the squad.

After having failed to win the last four friendly matches, Netherlands will be heading into the group stages of the tournament waiting for a spectacular first match. It will be against world champions Spain and this match will also be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final. Netherlands’ form is certainly concerning because they have faced the likes of Japan, Columbia, and Ecuador in the last few matches and they have come out with only three draws. France are the only major team they faced in this run and they managed a 1-0 defeat.

Despite this, van Gaal has claimed that his players are already looking forward to the first group match against Spain. The Dutch still have friendly matches against Ghana and Wales.

“We’ve created a top sporting environment because we know our players have to be in the best possible condition. The players showed that they are top sportsmen and gave everything. Every player endeavored to give of his best. I’ve seen the first signs of a good team spirit developing. I can see it in the way my players communicate with each other. Everyone feels we are coming closer together as a group,” said the manager ahead of the World Cup.