Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand admitted Sunday that he is “embarrassed” by the English champions humble seventh place in the Premier League.
United sacked manager David Moyes last week after just 10 months in charge and with the team unable to qualify for the Champions League next season.
“I haven’t looked at the league table for ages because it is embarrassing,” Ferdinand told the club website.
“I don’t want to see where we are. That is down to us as players and we take responsibility for that as much as anyone else. We are where we are. We have to take some form of responsibility and we do.”
United will be under the guidance of caretaker coach Ryan Giggs for the rest of the season. His reign started on a promising note with a 4-0 win over Norwich on Saturday.
The game also saw a recall to the starting line-up for Ferdinand who said he intends to keep playing next season even though he is already 35.
“I’m going to continue playing,” he said. “Whether it’s here, I don’t know. But I hope so.
“When you have been successful, you don’t ever want to look on a negative perspective or from a negative viewpoint. You always look at it and think: ‘What can we win and what do we want to win?’
“That will be no different next season, I am sure. Whoever is here, whoever is managing, the aim of this football club is to win trophies and we have done that consistently for the last 25 years. Long may that continue.”
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now