Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has offered his backing to Rio Ferdinand, despite recent criticism of the defender.

The former Manchester United defender joined the Hoops in the summer on a free transfer, but has come under fire for a string of poor displays.

"Rio's fine – I have got no problems with Rio," The Mirror quotes Redknapp as saying. "When he takes his time, people want him to kick it. He ain't never going to boot it up the pitch.

"He plays, he's a footballer. You wouldn't see Franz Beckenbauer or Bobby Moore boot it up the field, they would like to play.

"He's looking for people to come and take the ball where he can play it to them. That's what I encouraged him to do when he was 14 so I am not going to change now."

Ferdinand won 81 caps for England and played for his country at two World Cups.

Written by
Alex Meyers