Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been asked by the club to take a £50,000 pay cut in order for him to sign a new contract at Old Trafford. Rio Ferdinand still has another year at the Red Devils, although Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to keep the defender at Old Trafford for years to come. Manchester United are looking for the 33-year-old defender to sign until at least June 2014 but only if he takes a £50,000 pay cut off his current £120,000-a-week salary. Rio Ferdinand joined the club back in 20002 from Leeds United for a £30 million fee and has been a permanent fixture ever since. The defender has had an impressive career at Manchester United and for a player who loves the club it looks like he will accept the terms. Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to keep the player at the club despite interests from American and Russian clubs:
"Rio's still young for a centre-back, I think it's all down to how he feels physically and what he is doing at the moment is good. He has no issues at all.
Ferdinand has played 37 games in all competitions for United this season, and whilst he is 33 years old, team mates such as Giggs and Scholes suggest he could player for another three to four seasons.