By MIKE McGRATH
The Manchester United defender, who refused to play for his country and instead commentated on their 8-0 triumph over San Marino, laid into our international record.
He blasted: “We need to have a real good look at ourselves. Whether it’s a mental thing or that we’re just not good enough, that’s what we are still trying to search for.”
And he took a sideways swipe at boss Roy Hodgson, by claiming Glenn Hoddle and Terry Venables were his best England managers. He said: “My most enjoyable time probably in an England shirt was under Glenn Hoddle.
“That, and under Terry Venables, was probably the most expansive and fluid football that we’d played in the last 15-20 years.”
England fans at last night’s game clearly did not agree with Ferdinand’s assessment and could be heard chanting insults at him.
But the United star still defended his decision to pull out on medical grounds.
He explained: “I pencilled in to have certain treatments, had them and I’ve come away to have some rest time and to recuperate and get myself ready.
“I spoke to the United and the club doctors and the physios, who have helped me organise the regime that I’m on.
“But ultimately it was spelled out for us anyway.
“It was there in black and white what I had to do and that’s what we’ve done.”
