Queens Park Rangers defender Rio Ferdinand has moved quickly to back under-pressure manager Harry Redknapp by insisting it would be “crazy” to sack him now.

The former Manchester United defender joined the London outfit in the summer as he linked up with Redknapp once again. His arrival has not changed the clubs fortunes for the better, with the R’s currently joint-bottom of the Premier League.

Redknapp guided QPR to promotion from the Championship last season after a late goal against Derby County in the play-off final at Wembley.

But he has been unable to help them pick up any form with the club only securing one win in their seven games so far this season.

Reports have suggested that owner Tony Fernandes is considering replacing Redknapp with Tony Pulis or Tim Sherwood if results fails to improve.

However, Ferdinand insists it is far too early to make such a decision.

He told the London Evening Standard: “We are not even in double figures for the amount of games played yet. To push the panic button now would be crazy in my eyes.

“Harry still comes across to me as a fighter and a man with a lot of fight left in him. He wants to get the club out of this situation we’re in. It’s not for the lack of trying.

“No one wants to see their manager get sacked. It was not nice to see it happen to David Moyes at Manchester United last season and I wouldn’t want to see it here.

“It’s down to us as players, as well as the coaching staff, to start turning results around.”

QPR are currently 1.65 to be relegated but Burnley are the current favourites at 1.35.