Man Utd Offer Rio Ferdinand A New 1 Year Contract
Mail Online, Manchester United will offer veteran defender Rio Ferdinand a new one-year deal next month. His current deal expires in June. Ferdinand, 34, recently sided with his club after backing out of Englands World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro for specialist treatment on a chronic back condition, despite being selected by boss Roy Hodgson. Ferdinand has been a key part of Manchester Uniteds Premier League domination after joining The Red Devils from Leeds United in 2002. With Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones all learning from the defender's vast experience, Fergie appreciates his value in the squad and will hope Ferdinand stays on for at least one more year alongside United's other senior players Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. If Rio decides to not renew his contract with Manchester United he will become a free agent in the summer and could decide to retire from playing football. He has the possibility of a punditry career ahead of him and recently made a 14-hour return flight to Qatar to appear as a special television guest for San Marino vs England, instead of being part of the squad. With the difficulty of Ferdinand not being able to play two games in a week, the centre-half was left of United's side at Sunderland on Saturday, but could play in today's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Chelsea.