Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has said that he is impressed with the togetherness of the England squad at Euro 2012.

Ferdinand, who was controversially omitted from the England squad when Gary Cahill was injured, spoke of cliques in the national side when he first began international football.

He told The Sun: "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. It all sounds strange now but that's how it was in those days."

Ferdinand, 33, added that the variety of players in the current squad means there is less of a rift in the dressing room.

Footage from the Three Lions' camp in Krakow has shown the squad enjoying computer games and activities such as table tennis in their free time.

Ferdinand cited the influence of skipper Steven Gerrard, adding: "Steven will know, like I did, that you can't have people being left on the fringes, not being included, and he has made a real effort to support all the players."

England have progressed to the quarter-final stage, where they meet Italy on Sunday, after topping Group D with two wins and a draw.