Manchester United's England defender Rio Ferdinand insists Fabio Capello's squad is stronger than Sir Bobby Robson's team - which reached the semifinals of Italia 90.

Ferdinand wrote in The Sun: "The closest we've come in recent years to winning the World Cup was back at Italia '90.

"But the current England team would batter Bobby Robson's boys in their prime. They were an amazing side - don't get me wrong - but we're from different eras.

"Their fitness would be a big problem and they would be in trouble from about the 60th minute onwards. We would take them and score about three or four - they would be sweating beer!

"Footballers could behave differently back then and be more happy-go-lucky.

"Everybody remembers Gazza messing about around the team hotel pool wearing those plastic boobs. They were funny times and the camaraderie in the camp was superb."