Rio Ferdinand

So his current contract expires at the end of this season, does it? But presumably for players of his age it is standard policy to renew them annually and on a short term basis? Like Giggs?

Does anyone think this will be his last season with us?
 
Nah, i think SAF would want his experience around the team and dressing room a while longer. At least until one of Evans, Smalling or Jones proves to be a first choice CB for us.

He'll probably get offered a 1 year extension, with reduced wages. IMO anyway.
 
So his current contract expires at the end of this season, does it? But presumably for players of his age it is standard policy to renew them annually and on a short term basis? Like Giggs?

Does anyone think this will be his last season with us?

IT wont be his last unless he gets a long term injury. Specially with Vidic still recovering from his injury.
 
So his current contract expires at the end of this season, does it? But presumably for players of his age it is standard policy to renew them annually and on a short term basis? Like Giggs?

Does anyone think this will be his last season with us?

Definitely can't see this season being his last one with us, he's a valuable asset to the younger defenders with his experience. Rafael paid homage to him recently in an interview, saying how he gives a great insight into what he needs to improve in his game. He'll sign a 1 year deal with reduced wages I reckon. I'd like to see him taking his coaching badges (if he hasn't already) so that he is preparing for the transition between player and coach.
 
Hard to see him going when he is still such a vital component in our defense. But when he cant cut it in the PL anymore, you reckon thatll be it for him? Or will be try and squeeze a few more years out in the US or Asia?

I cant really see Rio as a manager. What with the pranks and the tweets, he doesnt seem serious enough.
 
Am I crazy for thinking that I think Rio is more vital to the team at this point than Vidic?

No you are not. Rio is important because of all his experience and as a role model in the dressing room. From the sounds of it, looks like all the young English players look up to him.

Unfortunately Vidic's injury came at a really wrong time in his career.
 
I think Vidic is as important.

That is why SAF preferred him as the captain.

Must be some reason for it.
 
I think Vidic is as important.

That is why SAF preferred him as the captain.

Must be some reason for it.

Vidic became captain because SAF wanted someone who'd play every game, no guarantees with Rio's injury record. Nothing to do with importance.

Am I crazy for thinking that I think Rio is more vital to the team at this point than Vidic?

Well, Vidic just got back from a long injury , didnt look at anywhere close to his best and got injured again. Rio has been in good form.
 
Unfortunately Vidic's injury came at a really wrong time in his career.

Not sure about that - when is a good time?
Earlier on and it could have stopped him from developing into a player recognised as pretty much the best out-and-out centre-back in the league when fit.
Any later and it could have been curtains for his career at the top level, whereas as it is, there's every chance that as long as it doesn't drag on he'll be back doing his thing for a couple more years at least.
 
Am I crazy for thinking that I think Rio is more vital to the team at this point than Vidic?
At this point in time I'd agree with you. Rio is currently fit and playing well. at the moment he is the experienced level head along with evra among the young defenders during games.

While Vidic has been out for a long time and has had a setback on his return. So while he could be influencing things behind the scenes, he doesn't have the same importance/influences on the pitch for as that he did a year ago.
 
Not sure about that - when is a good time?
Earlier on and it could have stopped him from developing into a player recognised as pretty much the best out-and-out centre-back in the league when fit.
Any later and it could have been curtains for his career at the top level, whereas as it is, there's every chance that as long as it doesn't drag on he'll be back doing his thing for a couple more years at least.

Obviously you don't want to ever get injured. Especially knee injuries.

What I meant was that getting that injury when he was past 30 is going to be a major roadblock to overcome. At that age it is very tough to fully recover from those kind of injuries. I have my doubts that he can ever fully come back the same player. The pace and toughness of the PL would be a major hindrance.

He can prove me wrong and may be spend another 4-5 years here but highly doubt it.
 
Fined a weeks wage for disobeying Fergie, or just a bollocking? Fergie looked and sounded annoyed.

It'd be ridiculous if any action is taken against him. The issue is much much bigger than SAF's opinion about it.
 
Yep. Hopefully just a word.

Smalling is back, so Rio being rested will now become big news though.
 
Just saw the video. Fergie didnt look pleased at all.
Dont care. I'm with Rio on this.
If it pisses the boss off, so be it.

Deal with it.
 
For all Fergie's background in socialism and standing up for what you believe in, some of his views are quite baffling - re: this incident and his general views on fans revolting against the Glazers

I guess it all comes down to him playing one big game these days in the media, you are probably going to trip yourself up somewhere along the way at times.
 
For all Fergie's background in socialism and standing up for what you believe in, some of his views are quite baffling - re: this incident and his general views on fans revolting against the Glazers

I guess it all comes down to him playing one big game these days in the media, you are probably going to trip yourself up somewhere along the way at times.

Well his views on the Glazers is confusing, I am hoping he is just trying to deal with a bad situation but that probably isn't the case.

But all players sticking together and showing an United front probably goes with the socialist view.
 
Seems SAF is more upset with being made to look stupid in yesterday's press conference more than anything.

Really odd the way SAF has handled the situation. He had a go at Jason Roberts yesterday and then claimed that all our players would be wearing the shirts.

In normal circumstances SAF would've just thrown a "no comment" and moved along.

Really disappointing man management from one of the best around.
 
Seems SAF is more upset with being made to look stupid in yesterday's press conference more than anything.

Really odd the way SAF has handled the situation. He had a go at Jason Roberts yesterday and then claimed that all our players would be wearing the shirts.

In normal circumstances SAF would've just thrown a "no comment" and moved along.

Really disappointing man management from one of the best around.

You're under the assumption that is merely political maneuvering when rightly or wrongly Fergie might wholeheartedly agree with the Kick It Out campaign.
 
Ferdinand is an employee and he was representing his employers today. Off the pitch he's entitled to his opinions but while he's representing the club he should be mirroring its views

Fergie's right to punish such disobedience
 
Ferdinand is an employee and he was representing his employers today. Off the pitch he's entitled to his opinions but while he's representing the club he should be mirroring its views

Fergie's right to punish such disobedience

Punishing him is one thing and he has the right to do it but publicly like that ? He knows the media will love this and that they'll replace what's important (the anti racism campaign) by something nastily useless
 
You're under the assumption that is merely political maneuvering when rightly or wrongly Fergie might wholeheartedly agree with the Kick It Out campaign.

Which means all players have to do the same?

Ferdinand is an employee and he was representing his employers today. Off the pitch he's entitled to his opinions but while he's representing the club he should be mirroring its views

Fergie's right to punish such disobedience

Not at all. Racism is an issue bigger than SAF's views on it. He might support the campaign, he has no right to tell the players to toe the line though. Certain things in life are bigger than the employer-employee bit you're talking about. Being black and the way the anton-terry situation was handled would have shaken rio up enough to want to make a stand. There's nothing wrong about it.
 
The interview is on the BBC website. I can access it from here so it should be available in all regions.
 
Punishing him is one thing and he has the right to do it but publicly like that ? He knows the media will love this and that they'll replace what's important (the anti racism campaign) by something nastily useless

If anything its actually highlighting the fact that rio didn't wear the shirt so I doubt he'll be that bothered himself.
 
I also think Rio should trust Fergie's judgments.

Its not like Ferguson is new to the country and an amateur? He has been around for so long and probably knows a lot about the issue and how it should be tackled.
 
You're under the assumption that is merely political maneuvering when rightly or wrongly Fergie might wholeheartedly agree with the Kick It Out campaign.

Well on Sky he said "Its embarrassing for ME" i.e. I am embarrassed because of the press conference.

If SAF was concerned with the campaign he'd have said that Rio let the campaign down.

Look, SAF loves to be seen as the man in charge and hates when he is seen as being taken on. When SAF said in the press that everyone will wear the shirts and Rio didn't it challenges his authority. And SAF hates that more than anything else.