Rio Ferdinand 'blames Alex Ferguson' for England snub

Rio Ferdinand blames his Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson for his exclusion from England's Euro 2012 squad, according to reports.

The Red Devils coach previously suggested that the 33-year-old defender would struggle with the demands of the tournament based on his injury record.

Sources close to Ferdinand have claimed that the snubbed centre-back believes his manager's remarks may have influenced England boss Roy Hodgson's selection.

According to The Mirror, the defender holds Ferguson partly responsible for his failure to make the 23-man squad.

The defender publicly expressed his disappointment at Hodgson's decision via Twitter. "Absolutely loved playing for England... to say I'm gutted is an understatement of the highest order," he wrote.

Hodgson explained that Ferdinand's exclusion was down to "footballing reasons".