Rio: Fergie backs British youth

Rio Ferdinand believes that the England side's future is threatened by a lack of opportunities at the highest level for youngsters.

Arsenal fielded a squad without a British player on Monday and Manchester United star Ferdinand, who got his chance at West Ham, said: "It is a very important issue. For the sake of the international team we need to invest in the youth of the country.

"What happened at Arsenal is disappointing, but it doesn't really concern us. The manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] here does believe in having a lot of British players.

"That is important because it will have an effect on the England team in the long run."