From ballet to Premier League legend. Rio Ferdinand became one of the greatest defenders of all time at Manchester United, rewriting history twice

Rio Ferdinand was part of one of the best stopper duos in football history. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, he helped Manchester United conquer not only England but also Europe. He has rightly become a member of the Premier League Hall of Fame. But what is his story?

Ferdinand went from ballet and gymnastics to the Premier League

When he was young, he took up ballet and gymnastics. He even went to one of the best ballet schools in England. He didn’t get into football until he was 10. Today, we know him as one of the best defenders not only of his time.

Rio Ferdinand has had a phenomenal career. “I have no doubt that ballet and gymnastics influenced the way I played. I had no problem with balance, concentration, strength or agility,” the Manchester United legend expressed in the PL Stories series.

As a native of London, he made his way to West Ham. Quite early on, he also made his way into the A-team thanks to a loan spell at Bournemouth and made a very good name for himself. There was a lot of interest in him and in 2000 he saw a transfer to a then more prestigious address.

Twice the most expensive defender in history

Rio Ferdinand was bought from West Ham for around €26 million by Leeds United, who made the English footballer the most expensive defender in history for the first time in his career. Ferdinand also had an offer from ambitious Chelsea.

“I couldn’t believe the price Leeds spent for me. And why did I refuse Chelsea? I couldn’t stay in London. I was enjoying the nightlife too much and then Leeds came calling. Perfect timing,” Ferdinand revealed.

Three months later, Ferdinand became captain of his new team. But he didn’t last long at Leeds. The club had financial problems and after two years at Elland Road, the then 23-year-old stopper moved to Manchester United, his hated rival at Old Trafford.

Like Leeds two years earlier, Manchester United made Ferdinand the most expensive defender in history, this time coming out at €46 million.

“I came for a big amount again, I was under huge pressure. Suddenly I was sitting in the dressing room next to players like Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy. Just wow. They won a lot, I didn’t win anything. I had a lot of respect from the first training session. I hadto show everybody that I was up to it,” recalls the now Red Devils icon.

He didn’t wait long for his first trophy in Manchester. In his first season, he could already enjoy his first league title. But would he have been the happiest ever? No, it wasn’t. He didn’t feel he had a major stake in the title, he didn’t think the team could win the Premier League without him.

But in subsequent seasons, it was a different story. Ferdinand became a key figure in Manchester United’s new era. His style of play was excellent, he polished it properly and was timeless.

Timelessness, a winner’s mentality, a legend

He almost didn’t slip up, he took it as a sign that he had made a mistake. He often didn’t dirty his jersey in games, he read the game brilliantly, he was dominant in duels, he was very quick and the ball at his feet didn’t get in his way.

“Sir Alex Ferguson wanted us to have maximum commitment and consistency. We had to out-fight and out-run our opponents. There was no other way. We had to deliver. And I wanted to keep winning. Whether it was in practice or in games where it was all about everything. I didn’t accept anything else,” Rio Ferdinand allowed himself to be heard.

However, the name Ferdinand also includes Nemanja Vidic. It was with the Serbian warrior and tough guy that he formed the dreaded stopper duo: ” After his arrival, Nemanja was a dwarf for the first few weeks. Then he became a beast, a partner and the best stopper I have ever played next to. We knew exactly what to expect from each other. We complemented each other and gradually we perfected it.”

He and Vidic supported each other not only on the field, but also off it. Together they made Manchester United one of the best teams in the world.

Ferdinand alone has won 15 trophies with the Red Devils, dominating the Premier League six times, which he won three straight times with Manchester United, the Champions League or Club World Cup once, and enjoying four FA Community Shield wins and three League Cup wins.

He was at Manchester United until 2014. He played 455 competitive games for them, scoring 8 goals. It is worth noting that it was Ferdinand who scored the first goal for the Red Devils at Old Trafford under Ferguson.

“It says something that I lasted 12 or 13 years at Manchester United under Sir Alex. I see it as a huge privilege,” Ferdinand is clear.

After finishing at Old Trafford, the England legend signed for Queens Park Rangers, where he ended his career in 2015.

Source: Premier League Hall of Fame, Transfermarkt, Manchester United