Rio's too good for Ryan
Promising United defender Ryan Shawcross has ditched Rio Ferdinand as his role model in favour of a rival club's captain.
But the young Red isn't being disloyal when he cites Chelsea's John Terry as the example he follows - he's merely making an honest appraisal of his style.
"Terry's the main one, he’s a tough defender," says Shawcross. “I used to model myself on Rio but he’s too good on the ball for me.”
Powerful centre-back Shawcross, 20, is currently on a six month loan deal at Stoke City and enjoying every second of it. He's making a big impact in the Championship and was the division's Player of the Month for October.
“I’ve enjoyed it because I’ve been playing a lot of games and scoring a few goals," explains Shawcross.
“I came to Stoke for first team experience and that’s what I’ve got.”
Ryan's first team experience at United has so far been limited to pre-season friendlies and just two competitive games - his debut in last season's Carling Cup victory at Crewe and the defeat at Southend in the next round. He then spent several months at Royal Antwerp in Belgium, helping them to reach the play-offs.