MANCHESTER, May 13 (AP): Rio Ferdinand brought his trophy-filled, 12-year stay at Manchester United to an end on Monday by announcing he would be leaving Old Trafford to continue his playing career.
The 35-year-old Ferdinand, who became England's most expensive player when he joined United from Leeds for 29.1 million pounds in 2002, has not been offered an extension to his contract that expires next month.
He suggested, however, that his departure was on his own terms, saying in a statement: "I have thought long and hard over the last few months about my future, and after 12 fantastic years playing, for what I regard, as the best club in the world, I have decided the time is right for me to move on." A tall, elegant, ball-playing defender, Ferdinand made 454 appearances for United — his last coming in the 1-1 draw at Southampton on Sunday in the final match of the season. He had been marginalized by the club this season, making just 14 appearances.
Ferdinand won six league titles, two League Cups, one Champions League and a Club World Cup with United and forged one of Premier League's great center-back partnerships with Nemanja Vidic, who will also leave this summer to join Inter Milan. With left back Patrice Evra soon out of contract, too, whoever comes in as the full-time replacement for fired United manager David Moyes faces a huge task to rebuild the defense. Ferdinand has had injury problems in recent years — particularly with his back — and has been following a strict training regime to extend his career, but he signaled he is not ready to retire. "I am feeling fit and healthy, ready for a new challenge and looking forward to whatever the future holds for me," he added in the statement. While Vidic was afforded an emotional farewell at Old Trafford in his final home match, receiving a memento from club great Bobby Charlton before last week's Premier League game against Hull and a rousing ovation from United's fans, Ferdinand will leave without any ceremony. Sections of the British media reported Monday that Ferdinand was told in the dressing room after the Southampton match that he wouldn't be offered a new deal.
"Circumstances didn't allow for me to say goodbye the way I would have liked," he added in the statement, "but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my teammates, staff, the club and the fans for an unbelievable 12 years that I'll never forget. Winning trophies I dreamed about as a kid came true at this great club." The low point of his spell at United undoubtedly came in 2003 when he was banned for eight months after being found guilty of missing a drugs test. But he will be remembered by United fans as one of Alex Ferguson's best defensive purchases, despite his hefty price tag, with Ferdinand breaking the mold for English center backs with his touch, athleticism and ability to play the ball out of the back.
The rock of Ferguson's second coming
LONDON, May 13 (Reuters): Manchester United had to sign Rio Ferdinand after the 2002 World Cup. After winning three Premier League titles in a row from 1999-2001 they endured a difficult season in 2001-02, finishing third, and needed to recruit the best defender in the country to steady the ship. Ferdinand, who 12 years on has announced he is leaving Old Trafford at the age of 35, fitted the bill perfectly.
The tall and elegant centre back had made his name at West Ham United from 1996-2000 before moving to Leeds United for 18 million pounds ($30.4 million) and becoming a cornerstone of the team which reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2001. But as Leeds imploded with financial problems, United made their move to staunch the defensive instability which undermined the 2002 season and made Ferdinand the then most expensive player in British football history at 29.1 million pounds ($49.1 million).
United manager Alex Ferguson wanted a linchpin for the next 10 years and Ferdinand duly obliged. It all started smoothly as United won the title in Ferdinand's first season at the club but then there was a major hiccup. Ferdinand missed a mandatory drugs test in 2003 and was banned for the rest of a season in which Arsenal's Invincibles won the title with an unbeaten record.
Restored to the staring lineup, Ferdinand began to show his true worth but Chelsea coached by Jose Mourinho proved an irresistible force and won the Premier League in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, however, United moved to provide Ferdinand with a significant defensive partner by signing Serbian Nemanja Vidic from Spartak Moscow and it was a match made in heaven. The muscular and feisty Vidic, who is also now leaving United after the club's tortuous season, was perfectly complemented by Ferdinand's more subtle defensive skills.
DOMINATING INFLUENCE
The pair blended superbly to provide Ferguson with the bedrock he wanted and three Premier League titles went to Old Trafford from 2007-09. The 2008 Champions League final was the pinnacle of Ferdinand's career and further Premier League titles followed in 2011 and 2013. Hampered by injuries in his later years, Ferdinand proved less of an dominating influence than he would have liked but when he played there was always a sense of calmness in the United rearguard. After guiding United to the 2013 Premier League title in his final season in charge of the club, Ferguson paid the ultimate tribute to his defensive rock who also played 81 times for England.
