Rio Ferdinand hoping for a new contract with Manchester United
Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand is hoping for a new contract with an aim to end his illustrious career at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand has spent his best years playing for Manchester United and has helped them win 4 Premier League titles, 2 league Cups, a UEFA Champions League title and a FIFA Club World Cup. He is considered as one of the best centre backs in the country and is the current captain of the England national side.
The defender spent the entire 2009-10 season battling injuries and other setbacks and could only make 21 appearances in all competitions. However, in the on-going 2010-11 season, he has managed 19 appearances already which include 15 in the Premier League.
With just two years remaining on his contract with United until 2013, Ferdinand is looking forward to extending his deal for at least one more year, if not two. By the end of that contract, he would have spent nearly 11 years with the club and would be eligible for a tribute match as well.
The 32-year-old would have to give more than 30 appearances in the current season to convince manager Sir Alex Ferguson to award him with such a contract. However, the centre back has expressed his desire of working in a management role once he hangs his boots up, adding that the recently retired Gary Neville would be his ideal deputy.
“If the opportunity (to manage) comes along then I’ll definitely have a look at it,” he said. “But I’ve got a while left yet before I have to contemplate it.”
Ferdinand was included in the FIFPro World XI once in the 2007-08 season, in which Manchester United completed a historic double. He has superior positioning sense and his height and well-built structure makes him an aerial threat. His partnership with team captain Nemanja Vidic is formidable and has always troubled most teams.
Manchester United would want to hang on to the Three Lions captain as he brings in a lot of experience and tenacity to the back line. Ferdinand also acts as a great inspiration to the younger players and has played a major role in developing the likes of Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling.