Rio Ferdinand - A Classy Centre Half

Rio Ferdinand - A Classy Centre Half

Yesterday, Rio Ferdinand announced that after 12 years he would be leaving Manchester United. His decision where to go is unknown as of yet, but he does seem keen to carry on playing. Rio has said this month that "I'm fit, healthy and I want to continue playing." A possible move to the MLS in the United States seems the most likeliest of moves, a final big pay day would attract most players to continue a year or two.

Rio came through the youth ranks of West Ham and made his Premier League debut in 1996. He made his British record move to Leeds (Yes that lot) for £18m in 2000 and he then made his £29.1m move to Manchester United in 2002 (Making him the world's most expensive defender). Throughout his 12 years at United he's lifted numerous amounts of trophies and collected various of medals. Rio over his tenure won 6 Premier League titles, 2 League Cups, 1 Champions League and 1 Club World Cup; he was also named in the PFA Team of the Year on 6 occasions.

Rio Ferdinand an elegant, calm and classy central defender - a few words that describes a man who in his prime was a arguably the best defender in the world. Rio in his best years even with his pace could use his brain to outsmart his opponent. Rarely would you see Rio make a last ditch tackle, he was always a step ahead of the game and it's that which makes him in my view Manchester United's greatest centre back. From signing at United in 2002, the amount of mistakes he made reduced more and more upon year, when it came to a point you would hardly remember something he done wrong in a season. His high level of consistency throughout his years at the club has been nothing short of fantastic and deserves to mentioned among the best centre backs of his generation - a man who made 455 appearances for the reds.

It was probably a surprise to see Rio get a year extension at the end of the 12/13 season, when most fans including myself thought it would be best for Rio to go out on high along with Scholes and Sir Alex as a winner. The timing of his retirement is surprising considering the fans can't say a proper goodbye to a player who served the club so well for 12 years. In my opinion, it's completely unprofessional and ridiculous to let Rio leave like this, pushed out the back door, when he should have had a similar (if not better) send off like Vida just recently. It's been reported in the past 48 hours that Woodward declared to Ferdinand in the dressing room after the Southampton game that he wouldn't be getting a new contract, truly embarrassing if true. Rio says in his statement that "Circumstances didn't allow for me to say goodbye the way I would have", which makes you believe the reports but antics this year may have also played apart (though it would be very petty from the club if so).

Ferdinand this year has rarely had a look in under Moyes, and seemed to fall out with him during the season. It has been widely reported that players at the club didn't like David Moyes' training methods, due to the amount of time spend on defending. It seemed from the outside that along with other players, Rio wasn't happy with the new manager and in turn the dressing lost faith eventually in the manager. It was also rumoured throughout the season that Moyes said to Rio to "Play more like Jagielka", someone who wouldn't lace Rio's boots is insulting. Ferdinand and Moyes' relationship never looked to blossom and only looked to deteriorate; Rio is reported to have leaked the Manchester United team to various media outlets. We may learn more about this year from Ferdinand's biography '#2sides' released on October 2nd.

Besides a drug ban, contract issues in 2005, questionable fashion sense and his twitter account Rio has been a fantastic Manchester United player. He leaves in my view as the best Manchester United Centre back of all time.

Cheers Rio!

Read Rio's statement below:

"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. I joined Manchester United in the hope of winning trophies and never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how successful we would be during my time here. There have been so many highlights, playing alongside some great players who have become good friends, winning my first Premier League title and also that fantastic night in Moscow are memories that I will cherish forever. Circumstances didn't allow for me to say goodbye the way I would have liked but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my team-mates, staff, the club and the fans for an unbelievable 12 years that I'll never forget."