RIO FERDINAND has opened up like never before on the injury nightmare which he feared would end his career. Manchester United’s 34-year-old centre-back is celebrating signing a new contract after a brilliant season in which he was integral to the club winning a 20th title. But in a no-holds-barred interview Ferdinand confessed that: A chronic back injury sent him spiralling into depression. He could not even kick a ball with his kids in the garden or lift them up on his shoulders. He genuinely thought his playing days could be over. Ferdinand said: “It is only now I can talk about what I was really going through. “I was trying to put a brave face on it but, of course, I was worried about the future. “Two or three years ago people were saying I was finished and I remember those dark days. “I was in a depressive state, I will admit that. “They weren’t easy times and I couldn’t play to the highest standard. You think negative thoughts. I had 18 months of being injured on and off. “I couldn’t even go in the garden and have a little kick about with the kids. It was embarrassing, I couldn’t pick them up and put them on my shoulders because of the pain.” Those memories forced Ferdinand to make a decision he had always vowed would never happen. He quit as an England international. United’s medics had got him into such good shape with their specific rehab regime, he could take no risks by interfering with the programme. Ferdinand added: “I was the first person to say I would never retire from playing for my country. “Basically, I could play for another three or four years — or two or three games for England and be finished in a year. It wasn’t a contest. “It wasn’t an easy decision because I was playing at the top of my game but it was the right one. “I couldn’t sacrifice my fitness for the sake of a few more England caps. It would not have been fair on United, it would have been a disservice to the club and to England. I’ve always been a team player. “But I miss even the little things about not being an England player any more. You see the new kit and I would love to have worn it. “That chapter is over for me but I’ll always be an England fan.” Ferdinand had a multitude of offers to leave Old Trafford and take up a new challenge as last season came to a close. Money-bags outfits Monaco and Galatasaray both wanted him. But Ferdinand insists cash was never a motivating factor and it was impossible to leave “the greatest club in the world”. Added to that, his sons Lorenz and Tate begged him to stay. Ferdinand said: “I enjoyed last season and played lots of games. I just couldn’t walk away from that having been at United for so many years. “When I was a kid in the game, had Manchester United put a bid in for me I wouldn’t have turned it down so why would I turn them down now? “You know that playing for United doesn’t last for ever but you want to try and make it last for ever. I wouldn’t have wanted to have been sat at home next season watching on TV and thinking I should be out there. “I only want to leave United when I’m too old and can’t do it any more. That’s not now. “I got offers from other clubs and heard about ones that might come. I can’t lie, some of them involved astronomical amounts of money and you think ‘wow’. But the club is part of me and my life. “My two boys are desperate to watch me playing for Man United. That was a big factor. They were being asked at school what was happening with me. “They were coming home saying ‘You aren’t leaving are you dad? We want to see you playing for United.’ It is only now they are properly getting into football. They love to get out there in the garden and play on what we call our little Old Trafford. “They are six and four and I want them to be able to remember me in a United shirt.” It was Alex Ferguson who wanted Ferdinand to stay on but new boss David Moyes gladly endorsed that view. The defender said: “Sir Alex said I had looked after myself, had played well and could go on for at least another couple of years. He thinks it is possible for me to do what Ryan Giggs has. “And when you hear that from the best manager of all time it makes you believe in yourself. “Sir Alex leaving did make me think: ‘Is this the end of an era, is it time for me to go too?’ “There was a lot of emotion around when he told us and I didn’t believe it at first. “But this club will go on and keep challenging for all the major trophies and I want to be part of it.” Before the new season properly kicks off, Ferdinand has a much-deserved testimonial against Seville on August 9 to acknowledge his 11 years of loyal service at Manchester United. He said: “It will be a proud moment and a great occasion for all the people close to me. “I may not be from Manchester but I feel like one of the supporters. “I speak on behalf of the club and the fans realise I am very much belong to the place and am committed to it. I can’t wait for next season.”
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:05:05 +0000