Ferdinand believes end of club-based groups in England team reason behind their 'unity'

London - Veteran defender Rio Ferdinand has said intense club rivalries used to disturb the unity of the previous England squads, but believes no such club-based groups exist in the Three Lions squad at present, which is the main reason behind their unity.

The Manchester United star, who made his England debut back in 1997, has been heartened by the way the squad has mixed so well with one another, showing no divisions between players along club lines.

"When I first started with England, players would sit in distinct groups. You would have a table for Manchester United players, another for the Liverpool lads and one for Alan Shearer and his mob. I didn't know where to sit for fear I would upset one group or another and be marked down as in a particular gang," The Sun quoted Ferdinand, as saying.

 "And it doesn't need me to explain how bitter the rivalry can be between the two teams, especially if you have grown up with it ever since you were a kid. When I was invited along to Euro 96, just to join in training for a couple of days, I sat with Paul Ince, who was with Inter Milan at the time, and Les Ferdinand, because we were Londoners," he added.

"Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing have moved to Anfield, yet are north-easterners. And, of course, Danny Welbeck knows Henderson from the time he was on loan at Sunderland," he said.

Ferdinand further said: "Also, a lot of them have grown up together through the Under-21s, so they are already good friends. It's great to see, though, in fairness, I don't think it has just happened in Roy Hodgson's time. Certainly under Fabio Capello, he insisted everyone sat together at meal times and he didn't expect any cliques."