Rio Ferdinand was purchased by Manchester United from Leeds in 2002 for a then-British transfer record, but the defender claims the best football of his career was played outside of Old Trafford.
Rio Ferdinand already discussed his well-publicized switch to Manchester United in 2002 from Leeds.
Rio Ferdinand may have amassed all the victories possible during his 12-year, trophy-laden tenure with Manchester United, but the former defender believes his "most pleasurable football" occurred while playing for Leeds United, a team that the Red Devils' rivals.
The former England center back, who had been acquired from West Ham in 2000, played at Elland Road for barely two seasons. The 23-year-old defender didn't need much time to grab the attention of the top players in English football; just two years later, United paid a British transfer record sum of almost £30 million for him.
Ferdinand went on to become one of the best defenders of his generation and won 14 major awards at United, but despite such unrelenting success, the veteran center-back has subsequently acknowledged the most pleasurable matches of his career were away from Old Trafford. Ferdinand claimed that Leeds was actually the team with which he most relished playing the beautiful game, adding that the club's supporters found it "impossible to believe" that he was leaving Elland Road.
Ferdinand said to Sport in 2020 that "as much as there was a lot of buzz about me going to Man United and it was emotional, for a lot of the supporters it was difficult to accept." "However, I believe that in the long run, it was established that my motives for traveling were valid.
"But playing here [at Leeds] was perhaps where I had the greatest fun playing football. I enjoyed it at Man United, where we won a lot but under a lot of strain, but I loved it at West Ham, where we didn't win as much.
"As a result, the enjoyment level isn't as high as it was when I played here at Leeds, where we had a good record in terms of wins,reached some impressive heights, including the semifinal of the Champions League, etc., without any additional pressure or expectations.
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Ferdinand stated that his two seasons with Leeds were the "most fun football" of his entire career.
"We were a youthful team with all decent guys, and we socialized together as well. I had a great experience here. I had a terrific experience and truly liked my time here because of the wonderful people.
"I have never had anything negative to say about Leeds because where I lived was excellent. I've always valued it as a place since it was a stop along my path.
Although Ferdinand has a soft spot for the Whites, the 43-year-old recently admitted he put pressure on Leeds to expedite a transfer to United at the time. Given their precarious financial situation, the West Yorkshire team, who had achieved the towering heights of a Champions League semi-final in 2001, had little choice but to accept.
Ferdinand joined United from Leeds and spent 12 trophy-filled years there, winning 14 major awards during that time.
Ferdinand stated to Sport in 2019: "At Leeds, I went and sat in [club chairman] Mr. [Peter] Ridsdale's office and waited for probably five and a half, six hours, and told to him, "I'm not going until you figure out a deal for me to move to Man United." "I kept my privacy.
"We came to an agreement, where he felt he was getting the fair share of the deal and I got the chance to join Man United. I was adamant that I wanted to go since I believed it was the ideal moment and course of action for me.
Although Ferdinand's move was warranted given the endless success he had at United, it seems that the center-career back's wasn't all about winning trophies. It is obvious that the legendary defender will always cherish his wonderful football experiences with the Whites.
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