After weeks of manic speculation, reality bit in Yorkshire yesterday to dispel any fanciful faith the Leeds fans still held in loyalty. For all Ferdinand's pleading that he had been "agonising for three days" as a result of his love for "the people of Leeds", the England centre-half's name is mud in the West Riding.
The captain has finally admitted his desire to emulate his England team-mate Sol Campbell by moving to his club's most bitter rivals. For Tottenham to Arsenal, read Leeds to Manchester United - forget what would be a record British transfer fee; a city feels betrayed.
"For him to be going to United is unthinkable," shuddered Roy Schofield of the Leeds supporters' club. "That he's leaving at all is upsetting enough and a massive disappointment, but why to them?
"My instinct is to want him to stay, and I'm pleased at the board's decision to say they won't sell him. I hope they stick to that and I'd love him to have second thoughts, but that's me being optimistic. Contracts clearly count for absolutely nothing these days."
"The fans won't respond well to him now at all," added Schofield. "And why should they? There'll be a lot of people bitter about him wanting to go to United. It's just a shame it had to come to this."