Rio Ferdinand

It should be remembered that the money we paid for Rio was seen as a huge gamble even though his quality was well-established by then.

This place, I remember, was half buzzing that we'd got a great defender and half skeptical that he wasn't quite all that and it was our record signing at the time.

It's hard to say when he shook off the stigma of a) being a Londoner (which is fine unless you're loud and lairy with it as Rio was perceived to be) b) meeting with Peter Kenyon and c) missing half a season because of the drug test.

I think Vidic coming in was a transformative moment; until then he was paired up with Brown, Blanc, Silvestre... not the most reliable partnerships. It's almost like Vidic joining made Rio up his own game.
 
Gazza said:
It should be remembered that the money we paid for Rio was seen as a huge gamble even though his quality was well-established by then.

This place, I remember, was half buzzing that we'd got a great defender and half skeptical that he wasn't quite all that and it was our record signing at the time.

It's hard to say when he shook off the stigma of a) being a Londoner (which is fine unless you're loud and lairy with it as Rio was perceived to be) b) meeting with Peter Kenyon and c) missing half a season because of the drug test.

I think Vidic coming in was a transformative moment; until then he was paired up with Brown, Blanc, Silvestre... not the most reliable partnerships. It's almost like Vidic joining made Rio up his own game.
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Probably Vidic joining made him realise that there's finally a partner that is at his level and he wanted to prove that he's better.
 
That's better than his interview after the Swansea game when he said how great it was to win the league outright and not on goal difference. :lol: Cheeky sort
 
he probably annoys the shit out of other teams' fans but you just gotta love'em if you're a United fan.
just like Evra I guess, coincidentaly both seem like 2 of the craziest and most vocal feckers we've got in the dressing room :D
 
On Sunday Supplement this morning the hacks indicated a high profile black player was going to be appointed, but I think they were talking about ex-players - so I was thinking it would be one of the media whores like Collymore or Barnes. Surprised that it turned-out to be our media whore :p

But I like the appointment, Rio's shown a keen interest in youth development at United so that's promising.
 
" Go to bed with a dream....wake up with a purpose" .Thought still playing for United was purpose enough.
 
Not sure we're going to see a whole lot more of Rio playing for United. He seems to know that and is actively getting involved in other stuff.

The commission thing is a bit surprising, given how poorly he's been treated by the FA / national team in the past.
 
Just as a general comment I met Rio at Stockport Train Station on Friday. He was on his tod, making his way to the platform as any normal punter would, but still finding time and patience to stop, shake hands and converse with all and sundry (including myself).

Class bloke all round who is coming in for a fair amount of stick right now. Yes he isn't now the astonishingly complete defender he once was, inevitable considering his age and injuries....but it's easy to forget he was outstanding at times last season and clearly he still has much to offer right now, either on the pitch or off it as an example to the younger players at the club.
 
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