After 12 years at Manchester United, club legend Rio Ferdinand will move on in the summer. The 35-year-old was out of contract at the end of the season and the decision had been taken by all parties to end his long association with the Red Devils. "After 12 fantastic years, I have decided the time is right for me to move on," said Ferdinand. Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles, two League Cups, the Fifa Club World Cup and a Champions League, will be difficult to replace. The former England international has been a fantastic servant for us, making 454 appearances since his move from Leeds United for a then-British-transfer-record £30 million in August 2002. But after a disastrous season that has seen United finish 7th, it is the right time to move on and reshuffle a back-line that is in desperate need of a revitalisation. Following the tributes and eulogies to Ferdinand's career, talk will naturally turn to replacements for the veteran defender, with the transfer window now open for business and plenty of names being linked already. Here, we take a look at five potential candidates who could come in and replace Ferdinand at Manchester United next season.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
