Who can be the solution to England’s central defensive problems?

Who is a worthy cover for Terry and Ferdinand in the England team? (Picture: AP)

SPURS captain Ledley King caused the FA much embarrassment yesterday evening (Singapore time) when he withdrew from the England squad amid recommendations from both England and Spurs doctors.

The 28-year-old, who is considered as a ball-playing alternative to Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, has been plagued with injuries throughout his playing career, and has a long-term left knee injury that prevents him from training in between games.

King’s pullout accentuates a perennial problem that the England team faces: the lack of match-fit centrebacks.

Will United suffer a similar slump as Barca?

MANCHESTER United head into a crucial 11-day period which could very well define their quintuple dreams this season, starting with tomorrow morning’s Premiership game against Newcastle.

The English and European champions then face Fulham in the FA Cup, and Inter Milan next week at Old Trafford for the second-leg Champions League knockout round game before hosting Liverpool in a game that could prove vital to United’s Premiership title dreams this season.

Sir Alex Ferguson could not have chosen a better time to sound off a warning to his charges, especially the young ones such as Rafael and Danny Welbeck that complacency would be costly and would not be tolerated in his dressing room.

The Scot pointed to Barcelona’s recent slump in the La Liga after an impressive first half of the season, which led the league by 11 points at the start of the year. That lead is now cut to just four points, no thanks to their recent erratic form, which includes the latest 4-3 loss to Atletico Madrid.

The question now is: with United still challenging on three fronts – the Premiership, the FA Cup and the Champions League – will they crack or start to get complacent, as they once did in 1998, where they threw away a 12-point lead to hand Arsenal the Premiership crown?

Who will partner Rio on Wednesday?

DEFENDING European champions Manchester United travel to the San Siro this Wednesday morning (Singapore time) with just one fit centreback eligible to face Inter Milan, after Jonny Evans limped out in the second half against Blackburn.

Nemanja Vidic is suspended, following his red card at the World Club Cup last December, while club captain Gary Neville is still suffering from a virus and a strained leg. Wes Brown is also out, after breaking his metatarsal in training earlier this month.

John O’Shea is still doubtful, and the United medical staff are working overtime to get the Irishman’s heel in shape for the Inter game.

If that does not fall through, any one of these senior United players should get the job of partnering Rio Ferdinand in defence – Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and the young Rafael.

Who would it be?

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: My pick would be Fletcher, if the rest don’t come through by Tuesday. The Scot has faced much criticism for his inconsistent performances over the past few seasons, but the 25-year-old has come through for United this season, shining in the early parts of the season where the champions were struggling to find their feet.

Are Man United “untouchable” this season?

MAN United extended its lead at the summit of the Premiership table early this morning, brushing Fulham aside easily with a 3-0 victory.

In the build-up to this game, Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger has declared the Red Devils currently “untouchable”, and Sir Alex Ferguson has also said that the title race is now down to his United team and Liverpool, with Chelsea blowing their chances after sacking Luiz Felipe Scolari.

While some critics are saying that Man United are due for a bad patch soon, after a nine-game winning streak (the last time they failed to collect three points was against Spurs in December) and a 14-game unbeaten run.

Are Man United “untouchable” this season? Let’s play it by the numbers.