Rio Ferdinand is fighting for his future at Manchester United. The Sun says Ferdinand, 32, also left out of Fabio Capello's England squad for Friday's clash with Montenegro, missed five of the club's opening games with injury.

That has helped 19-year-old new boy Phil Jones become an automatic starter at centre-half.

Boss Alex Ferguson has also been full of praise for Jonny Evans alongside Jones, while club captain Nemanja Vidic will be back from injury after the international break and impressive Chris Smalling still considers himself a centre-back.