Ferguson expects Man Utd defender Ferdinand to sign deal
Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects central defender Rio Ferdinand will sign a contract extension at Old Trafford.
The 34-year-old joined United for a then-British record £30m from Leeds in 2002 but his current deal expires at the end of this season.
However, when asked if Ferdinand would be signing a new contract, Ferguson said: "That is a strong possibility."
Midfielder Ryan Giggs, 39, agreed a new deal at Old Trafford earlier this week.
And Ferguson is keen to keep another of his more experienced players, who has been rumoured to be joining teams in the United States and China.
"I think he has had a great season," said the Scot.
"He has managed himself the right way and we have contributed to that in the preparation we give him.
"He doesn't play every game in the same way that Ryan doesn't play every game.
"But in terms of key matches he has been absolutely brilliant.
"Two weeks ago, against Real Madrid, he was excellent so we need to get him ready for the big one [the Champions League last 16 second leg tie against Real Madrid] on Tuesday."
Ferdinand, who has won 81 England caps, is managing a long-standing back complaint and has not been picked for the national team since June 2011.
However, he has remained an integral part of the Manchester United side, playing 24 times this season and helping his club to a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League and into the last 16 of the Champions League.
During his time at Old Trafford, Ferdinand has made 420 appearances in all competitions and won the Premier League five times, the Champions League once, the Club World Cup once and the League Cup on three occasions.
Comments
Join the conversation
Well get ready, the next one will be about a good 4-0 win for United and not a 1-0 scrape for ''happy'' chelski
Jolly good eh ?
These pathetic trolling comments are embarrassing, @ Pritchard UK - both you and he team you support are a joke! Back in your bow Bertie!
Rio will be picked for most so called minor games with the odd biggie thrown in. Been at Utd 10yrs and knows what's needed and all the while,Smalling,Jones and Evans will gain experience whilst not being so called burnt out. We have the perfect mix of youth and oldies at the moment.
Criticism from the berties proves it's the right thing to do. 23 wins out of 28 games can't lie!
exactly the guy is a genius on the pitch he would be a startin player for barca and real. cant wait for tuesday we're gonna batter them. prove to ronaldo he shouldnt ave left. treble this year, like fergies best group of playas ever. planning for the future smalling an evans gonna be world class pairin
No problem, It looked like a form of text speak I hadn't seen. As I said, I understand most of it and agree with a lot of what you are saying.
I wasn't trying to be clever by trying to show you up so please realise no offence was meant and keep on posting your views
How significant is it that City had 30,000 in Division Two (in a ground that was on the doorstep of most of its fanbase), but can't sell-out the Etihad for anything other than the Derby?
Says everything about the significance of beating the auld enemy when trophies are beyond reach.
great attempt at a shockingly biased argument. United's attendances rose after winning trophies because their capacity rose, its that simple. Regardless of the capacity of Old Trafford and the trophies in the cabinet, they've been selling out.consistently for decades
"I will come on here and say Rio has passed it", lol, how can any person above the age about 4 years old be that stupid? It's actually quite worrying.
Love it. You 2 fight it out just as long as I can understand it. Mr Pritchard may want to be the judge.
As for Rio, he has more than earned a contract extension. Still a good ball playing centre back, very seldom just hoofs the ball up field. Apart from that, it would be stupid to lose all that experience that he could pass on to Smalling, Evans and Jones