Rio Ferdinand, who has since left Old Trafford this summer to reunite with Harry Redknapp at QPR, was signed for a British record transfer fee of £30million in August 2002 and became the worlds most expensive defender for a second time in his career. He made his club debut in a Champions League qualifier at home to Zalaegerszeg in a 5-0 winning effort, partnering Laurent Blanc in defence. Ferdinand was made to wait until his fourth season at the club for a goal but his performances at the back were important to strengthening Uniteds defence in the 2002-03 season. The Red Devils shaved fourteen goals off their defensive record from the previous season as Ferdinand was joined by World Cup winner, Blanc and young Irish defender, John OShea for the mainstay of the season in central defence. The effect of Ferdinand in his early days at Old Trafford was realised in the 2003-04 season when Ferdinand could only make 27 appearances, down dramatically from his opening tally of 46. This was thanks in part to a nine-month ban for missing a drugs test, Ferdinand would be back in 2004, missing the European Championships in Portugal. The English defender was a permanent fixture through his twelve years at the club, with his partnership alongside Nemanja Vidic becoming one of legendary status, akin to the Gary Pallister and Steve Bruce dominance throughout the nineties at Old Trafford. Ferdinand would win six league titles as well as a Champions League triumph in Moscow and two League Cup titles among many others. It all started with the league title in 2003.
I am an aspiring journalist with a degree in Media Studies and a passion for all things sport -- especially football and Manchester United. I am a former season ticket holder at Old Trafford and have been a Red Devil since 1998.
