RIO v ROBBIE: MATCH-UP OF THE WEEKEND

Rio Ferdinand suffered rare criticism following the Manchester derby in November. But since United's comprehensive 3-1 defeat at Maine Road, the team have won 18 out of 22 games and Rio has looked more like the world's first £30million defender.

On Sunday, United have the chance for revenge on their city neighbours. Robbie Fowler might have something to say about that - the former Liverpool star would regard Old Trafford as the best place to score his first Man City goal. With Rio trying to stop his England team-mate, it's an intriguing TheFA.com match-up of the weekend.

RIO FERDINAND (Defender, Manchester United) v ROBBIE FOWLER (Striker, Manchester City)

KNOWN FOR...
Ferdinand: Heavy price tag (£30million), Peckham boy made good, Snazzy dresser, Les's cousin, A "Rolls Royce" player

Fowler: 'The most natural finisher since...', nose plasters, white suit at Wembley

HIGH
Ferdinand: Credited with England's opening goal after four minutes against Denmark in World Cup

Fowler: Wins sportsmanship award after trying to persuade referee not to award a penalty when David Seaman collided with him, Arsenal v Liverpool 1997

LOW
Ferdinand: Heavily castigated for Manchester United's embarrassing 3-1 defeat at City in November

Fowler: Gerard Houllier lets him leave his boyhood club Liverpool for Leeds United

CURRENT FORM
Ferdinand: The early nightmare of his £30million move to Manchester United is now a thing of the past and so is a troublesome thigh injury. Ferdinand has been superb in United's recent run. Playing alongside Wes Brown or John O'Shea, he has helped Fergie's men boast the best defensive record in the Premiership with the boss saying of his most expensive signing: "Rio's recent performances have been first class. He's been spot on," said Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He is getting better all the time now. He is looking more assured now. Coming to the club and getting that early injury and then coming back and missing games he was a wee bit tentative.

"But now he is going for it. He is lightning quick and has great feet. He is starting to flower now. He is doing great.

"Securing Rio has been good business for United."

Fowler: A hip injury has seriously curtailed his season and, unable to win a regular first-team place at Leeds, the club's plc decided their financial situation meant he was surplus to requirements.

Sold to Manchester City at the second attempt where Kevin Keegan feels the former Toxteth Terror can form a lethal partnership with enfant terrible Nicolas Anelka. Made his City debut in the home defeat against West Brom on Saturday.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THEMSELVES
Ferdinand: "This is football, not a war. It is not a life or death thing"

Fowler: "I don't want to be seen as a player who moves from club to club"

HISTORY
Ferdinand: Named by his dad after the Rio Grande, Ferdinand grew up in the different environment of Peckham, south east London where a prodigious football talent proved his escape. Made his West Ham debut as a sub in 1996 and his first start in January 1997 ended in a shock FA Cup exit at Wrexham. Even so, Ferdinand's reputation as a ball-playing central defender spread quickly and he made his England debut against Chile later that year.

After 152 appearances for West Ham, Leeds smashed the British record transfer fee by buying him for £18million in 2000. David O'Leary quickly made him captain but Leeds United's failure to qualify for the Champions League persuaded Ferdinand to join Manchester United for £30million last summer. By then, he had done enough in the 2002 World Cup to be rated as one of the best defenders in the world.

Has settled down well at Old Trafford following a mixed start to his Man Utd career and the club currently have the tightest defensive record in the Premiership.

Fowler: Dubbed the Toxteth Terror when he burst onto the scene at Anfield and scored five goals on his home debut against Fulham. The nickname changed to God as he went on to score 174 goals for Liverpool in nine seasons and established himself as a regular member of the England squad.

The emergence of the Michael Owen-Emile Heskey partnership finally persuaded him to leave Liverpool for regular first-team football just a few months after skippering the side to the Worthington Cup, the first part of their unique cup treble . Always controversial, Fowler had run-ins with Graeme Le Saux, Neil Ruddock and was criticised for a goal celebration in a Merseyside derby.

An £11million move to Leeds was meant to herald a new beginning for the Liverpool No 9 but injuries, most recently a hip complaint, prevented him from showing why he has been dubbed the best English finisher since Jimmy Greaves.

With Leeds United's financial situation giving cause for concern, they decided to sell him to Manchester City. Fowler initially turned down the move but a home visit from Kevin Keegan persuaded the 27-year-old hit-man to move to Maine Road.

COMPARISON 

"We are hoping Rio will develop into the best centre-half in the world," Sir Alex Ferguson

"I am not concerned about his injuries. He hasn't got the miles on the clock that he should have some for someone of 27." Kevin Keegan on Fowler


Compiled by Joe Bernstein



Manchester United play Manchester City in the Premiership at Old Trafford on Sunday February 9