Filed under: Manchester United, Football
An up-and-coming English-born defender who is cool on the ball, keeps a calm head around him and is destined to be a future international.Does that sound familiar?
That used to be the perception of a young Rio Ferdinand, but that's surely the fate now awaiting another rising rookie in Manchester United team-mate Chris Smalling.
After stepping in admirably once again with a faultless display following Ferdinand's latest absence in the goalless draw at Newcastle, it looked like he had never been out of the side.
Whether it was to protect a troublesome injury or whether Ferdinand's jinx has continued, Sir Alex Ferguson has to decide what the future holds for the England defender.
There is no chance he will be shown the door, with his experience, quality and composure still evident.
But the crux of the matter is whether the Manchester United manager can keep chopping and changing his defence at a whim - and getting away with it.
This is now Ferdinand's third successive season where he has faced prolonged spells on the sidelines.
And the statistics do not lie. In 2007-08 he played 60 games, in 2008-09 he managed 46 appearances and he turned out just 26 times last season - and is yet to reach that paltry tally in the current campaign.
It doesn't bode well for Ferdinand, who is now 32 and likely to be struggling with fitness for the remainder of his career, facing a challenge from Smalling, fast coming up on his heels.
Ferguson said: "Chris has come on leaps and bounds and is a major part of our squad.
"He didn't have any trouble stepping into the team and he showed everybody how good a player he is.
"It has been a great season for him and he has a big future in front of him. He is only 21, so it is a massive achievement for him to have played so many games at his age for us."
Ferguson may not want to admit it, but surely he is planning for an immediate future without the creaking body of Ferdinand as he struggles with long-term back and calf problems.
With Wes Brown appearing to be on his way out of Old Trafford and Jonny Evans having failed to progress this year, the Scot has a ready-made replacement in Smalling.
The £10 million signing from Fulham was expected to play more of a watching brief this season as he made the transition from non-league football to fighting for a first team spot at Manchester United in the space of two years.
But forget the long-term future.
Because the way the young defender has adapted suggests he could form a permanent partnership with Nemanja Vidic as early as next season.
As Ferguson proved by recalling Ferdinand following a two-month absence for their Champions League quarter-final tie with Chelsea, he remains the first-choice defensive partner with Vidic when fit.
But with Smalling waiting in the wings and persistent doubts over Ferdinand's fitness, that gamble won't always pay off - and taking a punt with the new defender on the block looks an increasingly good bet.
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