Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested that Rio Ferdinand is no longer in his first choice centre-back pairing at Manchester United.

Reports this morning had suggested that this season could be Ferguson's last as a United player, with Tottenham Hotspur mentioned as a likely destination.

"I explained to Rio the other day that we have two young centre-halves coming through," Ferguson told a press conference.

"Rio is almost 33 and he's obviously lost that yard of pace he had five years ago.

"It's doesn't mean that he can't tailor his game in a different way. Where he used to rely on his pace, he doesn't do that now. He can't do that now."

However, the manager confirmed that Ferdinand will start tomorrow's Champions League fixture against FC Galati at Old Trafford tomorrow evening.

The 32-year-old joined the Red Devils in 2002 from Leeds United for a reported £30m.