Manchester United veteran Rio Ferdinand has defended teammate Ashley Young.

Ferdinand has sprung to the defence of Young following his penalty miss in the Euro 2012 shootout defeat against Italy.

He said: "I spoke to Ashley after the game and told him how it requires a lot of bottle to go up and take a pen in those circumstances.

"Ashley was disappointed, of course, but it's the people who go missing when they are looking for penalty volunteers who deserve the stick.

"It's very nerve-racking, no doubt about it. I remember in the 2008 Champions League final shootout against Chelsea. I was the next one up to take one and my knees were seriously knocking, I can tell you.

"I would have backed Ashley to put the kick away though - as I would Ashley Cole, who is usually so good at them."