Ferdinand Expected To Leave United

Manchester United have revealed that defender Rio Ferdinand will leaving the club at the end of the season. The former England international has been under club for the last 12 years. His contract comes to an end in a few weeks and United are thought to have told him that they will not be renewing the deal. At 35 years of age, Ferdinand does not have a long time left in football. After a very poor campaign, it is thought that United are expected to start the rebuilding job from the back. Defender Nemanja Vidic has already been allowed to join Inter Milan on a free transfer.

The future of Ferdinand has been under a cloud of doubt for several weeks with the player expressing that he wants to stay at the club. After not featuring heavily in the middle of the campaign, he found himself in the first-team against the likes of Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He almost helped the club reached the semi-finals using his vast experience. Now, he will be leaving the club after having lifted almost every title on offer including the Champions League. Ferdinand was one of the world’s most expensive defenders after his £ 30 million transfer from Leeds 12 years ago.

“After 12 fantastic years, I have decided the time is right for me to move on. I have thought long and hard over the last few months about my future. 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. Winning trophies I dreamed about as a kid came true at this great club,” said the defender, who will be now looking for a new club.