Editing Rio Ferdinand (section)

===Manchester United===
====2002–2007====
[[File:R Ferdinand.jpg|thumb|upright|Ferdinand for Manchester United in 2008]]
On 22 July 2002, Ferdinand joined fellow Premier League side Manchester United on a five-year deal to become the most expensive British footballer in history at the time and the world's most expensive defender for a second time, a title he had lost in 2001 to [[Lilian Thuram]]. Ferdinand went on to win the Premier League title with Manchester United in his first season at the club. He collected a winner's medal in the [[2006 Football League Cup Final|2006 League Cup]], with runners-up medals in the [[2003 Football League Cup Final|2003 League Cup]] and the [[2005 FA Cup Final|2005 FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2140871.stm |title=Man Utd reach Rio deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 July 2002 |access-date=26 July 2011}}</ref>

In September 2003, he failed to attend a [[drug test]] scheduled to take place at United's Carrington training ground.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelso |first1=Paul |last2=Mackay |first2=Duncan |last3=Taylor |first3=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/oct/07/football.duncanmackay |title=England star Ferdinand in drugs test row |date=7 October 2003 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Ferdinand had left after training to go shopping, only to remember and attempt to return, only to be told it was too late.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Mike |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3185724.stm |title=Key questions facing Ferdinand |date=13 October 2003 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> He later undertook the test and passed,<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Glenn |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/ferdinand-faces-ban-for-missing-drug-test-90238.html |title=Ferdinand faces ban for missing drug test |date=10 October 2003 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Independent}}</ref> and also later offered to have a hair follicle test,<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/19/sport.comment1 |title=Rio at a dead end clutching at hairs |date=19 March 2004 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> but the FA turned down the offer.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Brennan |title=FA turn down new Rio test |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fa-turn-down-new-rio-1098807 |work=Manchester Evening News |publisher=MEN Media |date=13 August 2004 |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> [[The Football Association]] (FA) Disciplinary Committee, chaired by [[Barry Bright]], imposed an eight-month ban from January 2004 at club and international level and a £50,000 fine, meaning he would miss the rest of the season and some of the next along with all of [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3333091.stm|title=Ferdinand banned for eight months|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 December 2003|access-date=26 August 2008}}</ref> United appealed against the verdict and sought to draw parallels to the case of [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] player [[Christian Negouai]], who was fined £2,000 for missing a test.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goodbody |first=John |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/negouai-precedent-may-help-ferdinand-fpzgkhf8q2t |title=Negouai precedent may help Ferdinand |date=9 October 2003 |access-date=16 March 2021 |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In the end, the original verdict was upheld.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3514462.stm |title=Ferdinand ban upheld |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=26 August 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> In September, it was announced that he would make his return against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]];<ref>{{cite news |last=Plummer |first=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/sep/11/newsstory.sport3 |title=Ferdinand lined up for Liverpool return |date=11 September 2004 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Alex Ferguson praised his "assuredness and composure" as United won the match 2–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3666228.stm |title=Ferdinand delight on return |date=20 September 2004 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

In a fixture against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] in May 2005, United supporters booed Ferdinand amidst his refusal to sign a new contract.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/may/02/match.charltonathletic |title=Ferdinand feels fans' fury |date=2 May 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Glenn |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ferdinand-feels-wrath-of-fans-as-united-put-pressure-on-arsenal-221355.html |title=Ferdinand feels wrath of fans as United put pressure on Arsenal |date=2 May 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Independent}}</ref> Ferdinand still hadn't signed a new contract in July and faced pressure from Ferguson to sign it,<ref>{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Tom |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2341819/fergie-rio-must-sign-now |title=Fergie: Rio must sign now |date=13 July 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref> taking away his position as vice-captain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jul/14/newsstory.sport2 |title=Ferguson losing patience in Ferdinand contract saga |date=14 July 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Ferdinand was booed during several pre-season friendlies in July and August,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Jamie |last2=Johnson |first2=Simon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jul/21/newsstory.sport1 |title=Ferguson tells fans to back Ferdinand |date=21 July 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4744347.stm |title=Ferdinand faces abuse from fans |date=4 August 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> before finally signing a new four-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4132562.stm |title=Ferdinand signs new Man Utd deal |date=12 August 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Ferdinand later reflected on the saga, saying how he used it as motivation to change the views of United's supporters from negative to positive.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/20/championsleague.manchesterunited10 |title=Ferdinand overcomes boos problem and warms to the cheers |date=20 May 2008 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

On 14 December, in a game against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], Ferdinand scored his first goal for United, en route to a 4–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 4–0 Wigan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4516926.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 December 2005 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> He followed this later in the month with a powerfully headed goal against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 3–0 West Brom |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4537468.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2005 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> On 22 January 2006, Ferdinand scored a last minute winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 1–0 Liverpool |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4612230.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 January 2006 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> In the corresponding fixture in the following season on 22 October, Ferdinand scored again in a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 2–0 Liverpool |first=Caroline |last=Cheese |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6050692.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2006 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref>

Following impressive and consistent performances in the league, Rio Ferdinand was named in the [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]] [[PFA Team of the Year|PFA Premiership Team of the Season]], alongside seven of his Manchester United teammates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm |title=Ronaldo secures PFA award double |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2007 |access-date=26 June 2008}}</ref>

====2007–2014====
[[File:Rio Juventus.jpg|thumb|Ferdinand with [[Olof Mellberg]] in a match against [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in 2008]]

Ferdinand started the 2007–08 season well, he was part of a United defence that managed to keep six clean sheets in a row in the Premier League, before conceding an early goal to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] at [[Villa Park]] on 20 October 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aston Villa 1–4 Man utd |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7043000.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2007 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> It was also during this game where Ferdinand scored his first goal of the season, which was United's third goal of that game, with a left foot strike which took a very strong deflection off one of Villa's defenders. Just three days later, Ferdinand scored his first European goal for United by opening the scoring against [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]], with a superb header. United dominated the game and won 4–2.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dynamo Kiev 2–4 Man Utd |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7054215.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2007 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref>

On 12 January 2008, Ferdinand bagged a rare Premier League goal in a 6–0 hammering of [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] at Old Trafford. In their FA Cup quarter-final match against [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] on 8 March 2008 when Manchester United dominated, Ferdinand made a rare appearance as a goalkeeper, after [[Edwin van der Sar]] left the pitch with a groin injury and the replacement keeper, [[Tomasz Kuszczak]], was sent off after conceding a penalty. Despite diving the right way, he was unable to save [[Sulley Muntari]]'s spot kick, and Manchester United were eliminated from the [[FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7272806.stm|title=Man Utd 0–1 Portsmouth|date=8 March 2008|access-date=26 June 2008|website=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty}}</ref> On 6 April 2008, against Middlesbrough, Ferdinand limped out of the match due to a foot injury. He was rated doubtful whether he would face [[A.S. Roma]] in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg on 9 April 2008. He would play the full 90 minutes, though he received three stitches at half-time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2296848/Roma-fail-to-cash-in-on-jittery-defence.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2296848/Roma-fail-to-cash-in-on-jittery-defence.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Roma fail to cash in on jittery defence|last=Smith|first=Alan|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=10 April 2008|access-date=26 July 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

After United's 2–1 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League in April 2008, Ferdinand swore at Chelsea stewards and tried to kick a wall in the tunnel, but instead kicked a female steward, Tracy Wray. Ferdinand claimed to have merely brushed her with his foot.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298475/Rio-Ferdinand-apologises-over-steward-incident.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298475/Rio-Ferdinand-apologises-over-steward-incident.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Rio Ferdinand apologises over steward incident|last=Benammar|first=Emily|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=26 April 2008|access-date=19 July 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He said he had apologised and sent the steward some flowers. However, Wray showed the bruise on her leg to the media, and her husband claimed that Ferdinand had not apologised or sent flowers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1913804/Rio-Ferdinands-kick-victim-reveals-bruise-after-Chelsea-Manchester-United-match.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1913804/Rio-Ferdinands-kick-victim-reveals-bruise-after-Chelsea-Manchester-United-match.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Rio Ferdinand's kick victim reveals bruise|last=Bloxham|first=Andy|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=30 April 2008|access-date=19 July 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[File:Ferdinand Fabregas.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Ferdinand as [[Captain (association football)|captain]] during the [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09 Champions League]] semi-final.]]

It was announced on 18 April 2008 that, along with [[Michael Carrick]] and [[Wes Brown]], Ferdinand had agreed to sign a new five-year contract, worth around £130,000 a week, that would keep him with United until 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ferdinand signs new Man Utd deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7354524.stm|website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2008|access-date=15 May 2008}}</ref> On 21 May 2008, Ferdinand captained Manchester United to a [[2008 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League Final]] victory versus Chelsea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2008/May/Report-MU-1-6-Chelsea-1-5.aspx|title=Report: MU 1 (6) Chelsea 1 (5)|publisher=Manchester United F.C.|date=21 May 2008|access-date=26 June 2008|last=Thompson|first=Gemma|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714030538/http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2008/May/Report-MU-1-6-Chelsea-1-5.aspx|archive-date=14 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He accepted the trophy together with [[Ryan Giggs]], as Giggs was the on field captain for most of the matches during that season during [[Gary Neville]]'s absence due to injury.

In an interview with [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] he criticised FIFA's approach to tackling racism in football, stating that not enough was being done to punish those guilty of homophobic or racist abuse at matches. Regarding taunts aimed at [[Emile Heskey]] in England's 4–1 victory against Croatia in [[Zagreb]], Ferdinand remarked:<blockquote>"Croatia were fined a few thousand quid. What's that going to do? That is not going to stop people shouting racist or homophobic abuse...If things like this keep happening you have to take points off them. Then the punters will realise the team is going to be punished."<ref>{{cite news|title=Ferdinand condemns Fifa on racism|website=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2008|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7659284.stm|access-date=8 October 2008}}</ref></blockquote>

Ferdinand had an injury plagued 2009–10 season, a number of back and knee injuries kept him on the sidelines for months. He returned to action on 28 January 2010, but was banned for four games after being found guilty of violent conduct for elbowing [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]'s [[Craig Fagan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/26/rio-ferdinand-fa-charge|last=Taylor|first=Daniel |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=19 July 2011|title=Rio Ferdinand charged by FA with violent conduct against Hull}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8481114.stm|title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand gets four-game ban |website=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2010|access-date=19 July 2011}}</ref>

Due to a knee injury he suffered in the summer of 2010, which ruled him out of the World Cup for England, he missed all of pre-season, the Community Shield and the first four games of the [[2010–11 Premier League]] season. He returned to first-team football in the opening game of the Champions League group stage against [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] on 14 September. He captained the side and played the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw. He started the season opening game in August 2011, the [[2011 FA Community Shield]], where United found themselves 2–0 down at half time to city rivals Manchester City. Ferdinand was taken off after 45 minutes along with defensive partner [[Nemanja Vidić]] and replaced by [[Jonny Evans]] and [[Phil Jones (footballer, born 1992)|Phil Jones]] respectively. United went on to win the game 3–2 and Ferdinand claimed his fourth Community Shield medal of his career. Ferdinand started in the opening Premier League match of the season at West Bromwich Albion, a game United won 2–1, but he went off with a hamstring injury after 75 minutes. After the match, [[Alex Ferguson]] confirmed that Ferdinand would be out for six weeks. Ferdinand however recovered much quicker than initially diagnosed and returned to take a place on the bench two weeks later at Old Trafford in United's 8–2 demolition of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], although he did not play a part in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/19/2626680/nemanja-vidic-out-for-up-to-five-weeks-as-rio-ferdinand|title=Ferdinand returns much earlier than expected for Arsenal game|publisher=Goal.com|date=19 August 2011|access-date=3 September 2011}}</ref> Ferdinand made his return to competitive action in a 1–1 draw against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] at the [[Britannia Stadium]].

[[File:Rio Ferdinand QPR.JPG|thumb|150px|Ferdinand with Queens Park Rangers, October 2014]]

On 9 December 2012, Ferdinand was struck and injured by a coin thrown from the home crowd during United's 3–2 [[Manchester derby|derby]] victory away from home against Manchester City.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-20658846|title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand hurt by thrown coin|work=BBC News|date=9 December 2012}}</ref>

On 5 March 2013, Ferdinand, unhappy with the referee [[Cüneyt Çakır]]'s decision to send off [[Nani (footballer)|Nani]] during a 2–1 Champions League defeat to [[Real Madrid]] at Old Trafford, clapped sarcastically in the referee's face after the game. He escaped any punishment from UEFA for the incident.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9915138/Manchester-Uniteds-Rio-Ferdinand-escapes-Uefa-sanction-for-sarcastically-applauding-Turkish-referee-Cuneyt-Cakir.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9915138/Manchester-Uniteds-Rio-Ferdinand-escapes-Uefa-sanction-for-sarcastically-applauding-Turkish-referee-Cuneyt-Cakir.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand escapes Uefa sanction for sarcastically applauding Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=London |date=7 March 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 12 May 2013, Ferdinand scored the winner and final goal of the Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford in a 2–1 victory over [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]. After a corner was missed by everyone, the ball found its way to Ferdinand at the back post and he hit it on the volley to seal the win. On 23 May 2013, it was announced that Ferdinand had secured a new one-year contract that would see him stay with the club until the end of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22582699|title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand earns new contract|date=23 May 2013}}</ref> He was not offered an extension when that contract expired, and agreed to leave Manchester United on 12 May 2014. In a letter on his official website, he said "I am feeling fit and healthy, ready for a new challenge and looking forward to whatever the future holds for me."<ref>{{cite news|title=Rio Ferdinand: Defender to leave Manchester United in summer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27386066|access-date=12 May 2014|website=BBC Sport|date=12 May 2014}}</ref>