Rio Ferdinand has defended manager Fabio Capello over the media criticism the Italian has received after England's dismal World Cup showing.

"We qualified in great style. The media people and those in the know who were saying he's 'Don Fabio' now have changed course," said Ferdinand.

"We didn't play well at the World Cup, we know that.

"But it doesn't make him a bad manager. A lot of people are jumping too far and too quick."

Capello has stated that he is looking to freshen up the England squad with younger players after his team managed to win only one of their three group games before going out in the last 16 at the World Cup.

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Manchester United and England centre-back Ferdinand, who missed the World Cup through injury, said: "He needs to make some big changes in the squad but who are we to argue?

"We just do what he wants us to do. It's about England winning, not us as individuals."

Capello was knocked back by Paul Scholes when he asked the Manchester United midfielder to come out of international retirement to play in South Africa.

Although Scholes declined the offer, he has since said he regretted his decision and England striker Wayne Rooney is hoping Capello can convince his club-mate to return to the international fold.

"He is one of the best players in the country, a fantastic player," said Rooney

"It's his decision and Fabio Capello's whether he wants to try to pick him. It's down to those two - but I'd like to see him playing."

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