THE PLAYER, THE MANAGER AND THE CUDDLY ONE
Last updated : 23 July 2002 By Editor
Ferguson said: 'When you can identify a potentially great player you try to
think about how you can possibly get him here. We knew it was a hard road,
but we've got to the end of it. He is going to be a fantastic player. At 23 you
know Rio has great potential. We're very confident he will mature here and
develop into the best centre half in the world.'
'The board wanted him as much as I did. It is fairly obvious what his talents
are, but everyone wanted him here. He is a world-class defender with the
experience of having played at the very highest level of the game, for club and
country. He is also a fine young man who will fit into the squad extremely well
and I am sure he will prove to be a big hit with the fans.'
Ferguson continued: 'A transfer like this one had to be difficult simply because
Leeds are a big club and one of our fiercest rivals and there were three years
left on his contract. The assets have been there since he was a kid - but I
think in the next three or four years we're going to get great service (out of
him).'
Ferdinand said: 'I'm delighted to be joining one of the biggest clubs in the
world. I have come here to improve as a player. That was the first thing on my
list. I have to be able to cope with what is put in front of me.'
'It is going to be tough but hopefully I will thrive in these situations. I enjoyed
my time at Leeds and I hope to enjoy it at Manchester United. I was always
confident in my ability, and I was confident at the World Cup. I know this is a
big challenge. I hope to prove any doubters out there wrong. I want to fulfil the
potential I have. I know the management here will work me hard and demand
they get the best out of me. I want to win trophies and I feel I can do that
here.'
He added: 'My mum and dad gave me advice. They said `go where your heart
says you should go - go where you can improve as a player'.
'My brother had his say as well - but at the end it is down to me - it was an
easy decision. Opportunities like this do not come around that often. I don't
want to sit around thinking about what I didn't do in my career.'
Peter Kenyon said: 'I am delighted the deal has been completed - we're jointly
delighted with the announcement today. He is a young yet very experienced
player who we hope will have a long and successful career at Manchester
United. We believe the fee we have agreed with Leeds is the right one and
properly reflects Rio's age, experience and profile. Buying a 23-year-old
England international who has played in the Champions League and the
World Cup finals represents a sound long-term investment in the team's
future.'
'We're delighted he's joined and are very confident the deal is within the
financial parameters Manchester United set themselves. This is a further
investment in United for the future. Rio represents the next generation of great
footballers and we think he'll take that step with Manchester United.'
