Venables calls for calm ahead of Man Utd clash
( 2002-09-14 13:39 ) ()

Terry Venables has pleaded with Leeds fans to get behind their team rather than booing former skipper Rio Ferdinand when he returns to Yorkshire with Manchester United tomorrow. Terry Venables has pleaded with Leeds fans to get behind their team rather than booing former skipper Rio Ferdinand when he returns to Yorkshire with Manchester United tomorrow.

Terry Venables has pleaded with Leeds fans to get behind their team rather than booing former skipper Rio Ferdinand when he returns to Yorkshire with Manchester United Sunday.

The Elland Road boss has called for calm as Ferdinand's return overshadows a crunch clash between two of football's bitterest rivals, saying: 'Let's get on with our lives'.

The England player left Leeds to move to Old Trafford for ￡30million over the summer, sparking fury from Leeds fans.

Former teammate Alan Smith has fanned the flames, warning Ferdinand that he will be 'hammered' by supporters.

Ferdinand says he is expecting to face the fan's wrath, but is also eager to bury the hatchet with Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale after caustic comments followed his departure.

Venables insisted: 'My message to the Leeds supporters is to get behind the team. Rio is not with us any longer. He is at Manchester United - so let's get on with our lives. Save your energy and support the team.

'We don't want any aggro. We just want a good football match.'

Ferdinand, meanwhile, said he had no axe to grind with anyone at Leeds and added: 'We know what it is like when the crowd are against you, but in those situations there is no better feeling than winning the game and then looking at the crowd's faces.

'I'm not concerned about the reaction. I don't mind whether it is good or bad. I am there to win the game for Manchester United.

'I will not prepare any differently for this game than I would if I was playing against Charlton or West Ham. I am going there with the same mental approach and I am going there to win.'

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Ferdinand to come through the afternoon with composure.

He insisted: 'I think Rio will handle it well. He will get some taunts and a bit of stick. That's normal with players leaving to go to rivals clubs. It's a thing that happens.

'He won't be distracted by what happens. He will take it in his stride and his composure will help him.

Ferguson has urged his side to rediscover their sharpness in front of goal after watching them struggle to find the net in the Premiership so far this season.

He added: 'We are lacking a killer touch. The effort cannot be faulted but we are not scoring the goals our play has deserved.

'We are clicking in most senses - it's just the finishing where we are letting ourselves down. There is no question we have players who can score goals, and this game gives us a chance to recover.'