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Ferguson: Rio Ferdinand has had his best ever season at United

by Sam Peoples

Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Rio Ferdinand has enjoyed his best ever season at Manchester United this year.

The 34-year-old veteran has been a mainstay in United’s title run and his place in the PFA Team of the Year is nothing short of deserved.

Out of United’s centre backs, Ferdinand has made the most starts this season (30) and by shaking off his injury woes, he has recaptured the sort of form that made him the worlds most expensive centre-back.

And Ferguson believes he has been the best he has ever been at United this year.

Speaking to MUTV, Ferguson said: “Rio Ferdinand has had his best ever season at the club. We have had continual problems with the centre-backs being fit.

“Nemanja Vidic has missed half a season, Chris Smalling has missed most of the season, Phil Jones missed a good bit and Jonny Evans missed parts. But Rio has managed his situation very well.

“Although we have left him out of certain games because we have managed him the right way, at the most important times he has been there.”

Two years ago, there were fans saying that Ferdinand was past it and that United should sell him and give the opportunity to a younger player.

But he has quashed his critics in emphatic fashion in a season that has hardly been easy for him. From coins being chucked at his head to the continued England situation, Ferdinand has been under the spotlight all year long and has delivered.

His calm, composure and ability with the ball at his feet gave United the presence at the back we majorly lacked last season.

And look how in shape he is. For a man of 34, Ferdinand is incredibly fit. He has excellently managed his fitness issues and put them to bed this season, playing two games in a week on more than one occasion.

There has been much speculation about Ferdinand signing a new deal at the club but it is something he expects Ferdinand to do.

“I don’t think there is any reason to think differently. I hope he will stay and I think he will too,” Ferguson said.

I hope that Ferdinand stays. Although his testimonial is due in the summer, he has shown this year that he has plenty left to offer United at the very top level.

In Jones, Smalling and Evans, United have a very secure future in the centre-back department but for the present, I wouldn’t want anyone else but Ferdinand.

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