Rio Ferdinand has lost pace and sharpness

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that Rio Ferdinand has lost pace, but the Manchester United boss insists the out-of-sorts defender still has a future at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand will start United's Champions League group game with Otelul Galati on Wednesday after being dropped for last Saturday's win at Everton.

The England international was one of several players to pay the price for United's 6-1 home defeat to Manchester City on October 23.

But Ferguson revealed at a press conference in Manchester on Tuesday that Ferdinand will start against United's Romanian opponents as Nemanja Vidic, sent off against Galati in Romania two weeks ago, is suspended.

The United manager said Ferdinand, 33 next week, and a member of five Premier League title-winning teams at Old Trafford, could no longer rely on his pace.

"Rio is almost 33 and has obviously lost the yard of pace he had five years ago, and he has to tailor his game a different way," said Ferguson.

"He cannot rely on his pace any more. That is obvious. We have all faced that decisive moment in our careers when we have had to realise that we have to change our game.

"I had to do it myself when I lost my sharpness, and Rio will have to do the same and if he does he will be fine."

Ferdinand's form has come into question in recent weeks with his performance in the 3-3 Champions League draw with FC Basel in September also criticised.

He has started five league games this season but is clearly now no longer guaranteed a regular starting place in Ferguson's team, with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones also pushing for a place alongside Vidic.

"I explained to Rio the other day that we have two young centre halves coming through and I hope I can keep the four together for a long time," added Ferguson.

"I don't think there is any problem.

"He has been with us nine years now and has been a fantastically consistent performer. He has been top class, brilliant.

"He will have to rearrange his game a little bit.

"He is still one of the best footballers in the country in terms of the use of the ball. He still has a great presence, he still can tackle and still can head the ball.

"But what has changed for Rio is that he has lost that electric yard he had a few years ago but he will change and play a big part. No question about that."

United can afford no slips against Otelul Galati, who currently lie eighth in the Romanian top-flight.

Last season's finalists have won just one of their first three games and trail Group C leaders Benfica by two points, while FC Basel are only one point behind in third.

It is United's first game back at Old Trafford since conceding six against City.

Otelul Galati have yet to register a point in Europe's most prestigious competition although they have managed to win all three domestic games since Wayne Rooney's double from the penalty spot saw them lost 2-0 to United in Romania two weeks ago.