RIO IS GOING

Manchester United manager David Moyes has rejected rumours that defender Rio Ferdinand is set to retire from football at the end of the season. The 35-year-old of out of contract in the summer and there has been no talk of a new deal from the club. He has been linked with a move to the MLS in the last few months, but Ferdinand has been hinting recently that he may consider stepping into football management because it is something he has always wanted to do. Ferdinand has been taking his coaching badges, which will allow him to become a football manager.

A number of experienced players have been linked with an exit from the club in the last few months, as Moyes is reportedly targeting his own team. Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, and Ryan Giggs are some of the players linked with an exit. United are expected to spend a huge amount of money in the summer to rebuild the squad. They already spent a massive chunk of it on Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, who has been brought to the club for £ 37.1 million. This has broken the previous transfer record of £ 30.1 million set by Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.

United are set to miss out on the Champions league next season.

“I can only tell you that what was written today was a load of rubbish, complete nonsense. We’ve got a chance of a few days away. We’ll see. We’ll go and try to have a few days away and get ready. We’ve got a big Champions League game coming up in just over a week’s time,” said Moyes. “Must be another slow news day. come on Neil Custis get ya head out ya Y-fronts!,” said Ferdinand through his Twitter account.

Ferdinand has not featured for United since November.

MANAGEMENT DREAMS

Rio Ferdinand says that he is keen to enter into football management once his playing career is finished. The Manchester Madrid defender is entering into the final six months of his contract with his club and there has been a lot of speculation that it would be his final season. Ferdinand is regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation and he has immense respect within the game. After winning almost everything on offer at club level, Ferdinand has also done well at international level as well.

He is odds-on favourite to get even the Premier league job once he decides to enter into management due to his immense stature in the game. Previously, it was thought that he would enter into football punditry and look after his fashion business, which is connected to football. Now, the 35-year-old says that management is his next option once he retires from playing. Ferdinand has featured rarely in the second half of the season. Even though United have the option to extend his contract by 12 months, it looks unlikely that he will take up this option.

Ferdinand has also sounded very sceptical about his chances of playing next season. There are several young managers in the Premier league and Ferdinand could be one among them.

“Will I be playing next season? I don’t know. I’ve got to get through this season first. I hope I finish this one! Last season I said the same thing, I won’t look any further than the end of the season and then re-evaluate it around that time. I’m doing my badges. I’ve got a lot of other interests but I definitely want to stay in the game when I retire. I feel I’ve got a lot to offer. I’d like to [stay in the game] definitely,” said Ferdinand.