Man Utd defender Ferdinand hits back at claims he will not make World Cup

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has dismissed claims he won't make England's World Cup campaign.

Ferdinand has hit back at critics who say he won't be fit for South Africa.

"You are always going to get doubters in your life," Ferdinand told the News of the World. "Some people need to chase a pound note, but when you talk about people's injuries you should not make assumptions when you don't know the facts.

"Now, I want to play as many games as I can for Manchester United and England. I am greedy. I want to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup, too. You have to go through a lot of hardship to get fit, but it's part and parcel of being a professional footballer.

"Ask my United team-mate Owen Hargreaves. He is having regular injections in his knees. But you would run through a brick wall to play football day in, day out. So a little pain is not too bad. However, I need to be more honest now in terms of whether I am fit enough to play.

"I used to say: 'Right, I can get round the pitch' and that was it - even if I wasn't properly fit.

"But now I've got to be more truthful and to be fair on the team.

"And if I'm not fit enough to play I'll have to say so.

"I want to play for as long as possible. If I am playing for Manchester United and England at 35 or 36 I will be delighted."