[Torque]

^ of course he makes mistakes, we are human, nobody is perfect. But you gotta give credit for his good performances and forget about bad games.
Rio is devoted to the club and he'll stay with United till the end. At least that's what i hope to happen.

[randy420]

you can't just "forget" about his bad games. His huge mistake against portsmouth last season ended up making it 2-0 at that point in the game and destroyed any chance we would have had to snatch a point, or maybe even a win.

The mistake against Spurs was Gerrard to Henry esque, passing it back towards the keeper only to have it find an opposing player. That would have led to a goal had it not been for a great saving chalenge from our keeper.

Of course, of course, everyone makes mistakes, but these are just huge, garling cockups that someone playing at that level shouldn't make. You'd expect things like that from a non-league team, or even someone say in League 1 or 2, but to happen at the highest level, at one of the top European and Premiership clubs is something else..

[dylangranville]

not sure how the 30yr+ rule applies to central defenders as they are usually in their prime around 29 yrs old. I cant see them offering Rio a 1 year contract because of his age. its not so as you would consider him to have seen his best days already would you.

[jamesbevis2]

Hopefully theu can tie up a four year deal, he's worth that as long as he keeps up his good form.

[cbud003]

I agree with Zeus, I too Rio as a Manchester United icon. It just wouldn't be the same without Rio on the pitch. However, maybe it's time to give Gerard Pique a good look. Give him a few more starts and then maybe ease him into the starting eleven. He has immense potential at the young age of 21.

[GocartMozart]

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man Utd | Ferdinand wants new Man Utd deal

Ferdinand wants new Man Utd deal

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has signalled his intent to spend the rest of his playing career at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand told BBC Radio Leeds: "I have two more years on my contract, I'd like to finish my career at United.

"The club have made an approach to my agent but there's so many games it's difficult to get around the table."

The 29-year-old added: "By the end of the season, if not sooner, it should be done and dusted."

Ferdinand revealed his plans for the future speaking to his former Leeds United coach Eddie Gray on BBC Radio Leeds.

He said: "I'm enjoying my life, football is that much sweeter when you're winning."

Ferdinand was handed the England captaincy in the 1-0 friendly defeat to France and it is an honour he is eager to take on again.

"Being given the duty the other day was a real honour for me, I'd love to be the captain of England, who wouldn't?

"It's not going to be the be all and end all, it won't make or break my career or make me lose sleep at night.

"I'm still going to have the same thoughts and apply myself the same way regardless of who is being picked as captain.

"I want to win things and we need eleven captains out there not just the one."

[GocartMozart]

bump


and so Rio is almost about to get his deal.

Fergie: United close to securing Ferdinand deal
MANCHESTER, England, April 4 (Reuters) - Manchester United are close to securing a new long-term contract for defender Rio Ferdinand at Old Trafford, manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday.


Ferdinand, 29, has two years left to run on his contract with the Premier League champions but has opened talks on a new deal.

'We have been negotiating for a few weeks now and I don't think we are far away, although you know what negotiations are like nowadays. They are never easy,' Ferguson told reporters.

Ferdinand, who captained England in their international friendly against France last week, recently said he would like to finish his career at United, the club he joined from Leeds United in 2002 for a then British record fee of 30 million pounds ($60 million).

His outstanding form this season has helped United chase a domestic and European double, keeping clean sheets in their last five league games and their 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg victory at AS Roma on Tuesday night.

'I have always said if you defend well you can win things. If we keep defending right like that we have the forwards to cap on our defensive strength,' said Ferguson.

Ferdinand's partnership with Nemanja Vidic has been the bedrock of United's success but Vidic will now be missing for up to three weeks with the knee injury he sustained in Rome.

'It's still a loss but I think we can cope,' added Ferguson, who was relieved not to lose the Serbia international for the rest of the season.

'We have got Silvestre back, Neville back, Piquet, John O'Shea and Wes Brown so we are very well covered in that position.'

Gary Neville returns to United's squad for the first time in over a year for Sunday's trip to mid-table Middlesbrough after finally regaining full fitness following an ankle injury.

League leaders United, who hold a five-point advantage over Chelsea going into the weekend games, will be looking to maintain their lead by securing a seventh successive win.

'We are approaching the finishing line,' said Ferguson. 'There is not long to go now but sometimes it's a lifetime away because at this time of year the nerves can play a part, form plays a part and you can get a shock result. We have to make sure our form stays consistent.'

Portugal Winger Nani, is still out with a thigh injury but could return for Wednesday's second leg against Roma.

ESPNsoccernet - England - Fergie: United close to securing Ferdinand deal

60 million dollars, is just plane false. the exchange rate in 2002 was certainly no 2:! the way it is today. Poor reporting from soccernet.