So it seems Rio Ferdinand’s England career is pretty much over.Following the recent retirement of John Terry, Roy Hodgson’s latest England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland showed he is looking to the future.That meant no recall for 33-year-old Ferdinand who is upset that Hodgson apparently told passengers on an underground train in London that the Manchester United player’s international career was finished.To be honest, I think Hodgson has done the right thing by turning to younger defenders like Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross, Chelsea’s Gary Cahill, Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott and Everton’s Phil Jaglielka.It’s important these players are given the opportunity to prepare for the 2014 World Cup in Rio. In two years’ time Rio will be 35 and to be fair he has had his problems with injuries over the years so it makes sense for Hodgson to blood some other central defenders.Ferdinand hasn’t played for England for quite a while now and it’s getting to the stage when the pace and power which has been a staple in his career is beginning to fade.Part of the reason Manchester United has been so successful in recent years is the Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic defensive paring, but with Vidic injured and Ferdinand showing signs of ageing, I think United need to start looking for replacements.Manchester City still haven’t shown their true worth in Champions League and should have lost to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night — they need to start improving before judgement is passed on them that they can’t compete at this level.Although the Champions League is a different kettle of fish in terms of movement and pace, City still have time to make improvements and as long as they start to play to their potential then they should be okay.One team that has had a surprise slump in form is Swansea City who haven’t started the season as brightly as many thought.What I would say is that it isn’t about your first season but more so your second. In your first season you just want to survive and you are hungry for that, but once you achieve that goal then you need to stay on the course and look to build.Unfortunately for Swansea they lost their coach Brendon Rodgers to Liverpool as well as their gifted midfielder Joe Allen, so they need to find a spark from somewhere. They will need to sort it out in the next few games, that’s for sure.For me, the match of the week end is Newcastle at home against Untied.What people have to remember is that United will be without Vidic and could have trouble containing Newcastle strikers Demba Ba and Demba Cisse.I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends in a draw; I think the key will be Untied clogging up the midfield and blocking up the avenues to the Newcastle strikers otherwise it could be a long day.The El Clasico is this weekend as well and the onus will certainly be on Real Madrid to get the points because they are already so far behind in the league and going to Camp Nou isn’t he easiest thing in the world.Madrid won the title last year at Barcelona so the Catalan side will be looking for revenge, but if anyone can beat the Catalans at home it would be Jose Mourinho’s men.