All About Rio ..
Loyalty.. One thing many United fans would tell you Rio has not shown much of the last couple of weeks/ months.
The club want him to sign a new contract, they claim they have offered him an exceptional deal, but his agent has said the deal does not represent his client’s status as “one of the world’s best defenders.”
If reports are to be believed, Ferdinand is asking for around £120,000 a week. This in contrast appears to be leaving United’s offer some £30,000 short. The contact talks at this current time are in gridlock.
Following an excellent World Cup performance for England, Manchester United made their move for Ferdinand with Leeds United receiving a British record fee of £30 million. The move was a clear step up for the player, but the transfer left many Leeds United Fans – and then manager David O’Leary – with a very nasty taste in their mouths.
In the months leading up to the World Cup, Ferdinand had stated his love for Leeds United and also claimed that despite his Southern upbringing, he loved the city of Leeds and its people. This love seemed to disappear when he decided to hand in a transfer request to ensure his transfer to Manchester United – widely regarded as Leeds’ worst rivals. Indeed, many Leeds fans I’m sure would tell you that it was the Ferdinand transfer saga that proved to be the catalyst for the club’s great demise and subsequent relegation to The Championship. (yea, right)
The capture of Ferdinand seemed to underline Manchester United’s ambitions to further dominate the top levels of English football, and also kick their European game plan back into action. The plan seemed to have worked. Manchester United secured the Premiership title in Ferdinand’s first year (after ARSE-nal lost the plot in the second half of the season and United kick-started theirs)– although a second Champions League win in recent years escaped them.
On September 23rd 2003, Ferdinand failed to take a drugs test at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground. Despite Ferdinand’s plea of forgetfulness rather than guilt, the fallout of the issue left the player with a £50,000 fine and a 12 month ban. The ban came into effect on 12th January 2004 which saw the player miss Euro 2004, the rest of the 03/04 domestic season, and also the start of the 04/05 season.
It would appear that Manchester United have stood by and defended the player in his darkest hour, and despite that loyalty the player is now holding the club to ransom.
The questions that I feel need answering the most are: What exactly has Ferdinand done to warrant such a contract?
Did the player refuse to pick up his wages while he was banned for an offence in which he was clearly blameworthy? Pfffttt.. I hardly think so.
Did the player accept a cut in wages to coincide with his ban? Again.. ppfffttt...
He has allowed himself to be manipulated by his much talked about “super agent” Pini Zahavi. He has allowed Peter Kenyon and Chelsea to embarrass Manchester United through their coincidental public meetings. He has allowed the club’s image to be damaged with his boozy antics which so often end up in the gutter press’ gossip columns.
He has allowed himself to believe he is the best defender in the world to pump up his already inflated ego, but more than all of this he has let down the people who matter the most – the fans, his team mates, and his manager.
These are the people who still bought the shirt carrying Ferdinand’s name, these are the people who fought out on the pitch to win trophies for the club, and these are the people who had the faith to sign you, defend you, and offer you the chance to repay that loyalty.
If loyalty needs to be spelt out to Ferdinand, you only have to read this following description of Paul Scholes’ last contract talks.
When Manchester approached him with an offer of an improved deal, Scholes simply told the club that he was happy with what he was currently earning, explained to them he was happy to sign a new extended deal on his current terms, and a few hours later the contract was signed. No agent. No hangers-on. Just Scholes, his financial advisor, and a club lawyer.
That is loyalty...
The club want him to sign a new contract, they claim they have offered him an exceptional deal, but his agent has said the deal does not represent his client’s status as “one of the world’s best defenders.”
If reports are to be believed, Ferdinand is asking for around £120,000 a week. This in contrast appears to be leaving United’s offer some £30,000 short. The contact talks at this current time are in gridlock.
Following an excellent World Cup performance for England, Manchester United made their move for Ferdinand with Leeds United receiving a British record fee of £30 million. The move was a clear step up for the player, but the transfer left many Leeds United Fans – and then manager David O’Leary – with a very nasty taste in their mouths.
In the months leading up to the World Cup, Ferdinand had stated his love for Leeds United and also claimed that despite his Southern upbringing, he loved the city of Leeds and its people. This love seemed to disappear when he decided to hand in a transfer request to ensure his transfer to Manchester United – widely regarded as Leeds’ worst rivals. Indeed, many Leeds fans I’m sure would tell you that it was the Ferdinand transfer saga that proved to be the catalyst for the club’s great demise and subsequent relegation to The Championship. (yea, right)
The capture of Ferdinand seemed to underline Manchester United’s ambitions to further dominate the top levels of English football, and also kick their European game plan back into action. The plan seemed to have worked. Manchester United secured the Premiership title in Ferdinand’s first year (after ARSE-nal lost the plot in the second half of the season and United kick-started theirs)– although a second Champions League win in recent years escaped them.
On September 23rd 2003, Ferdinand failed to take a drugs test at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground. Despite Ferdinand’s plea of forgetfulness rather than guilt, the fallout of the issue left the player with a £50,000 fine and a 12 month ban. The ban came into effect on 12th January 2004 which saw the player miss Euro 2004, the rest of the 03/04 domestic season, and also the start of the 04/05 season.
It would appear that Manchester United have stood by and defended the player in his darkest hour, and despite that loyalty the player is now holding the club to ransom.
The questions that I feel need answering the most are: What exactly has Ferdinand done to warrant such a contract?
Did the player refuse to pick up his wages while he was banned for an offence in which he was clearly blameworthy? Pfffttt.. I hardly think so.
Did the player accept a cut in wages to coincide with his ban? Again.. ppfffttt...
He has allowed himself to be manipulated by his much talked about “super agent” Pini Zahavi. He has allowed Peter Kenyon and Chelsea to embarrass Manchester United through their coincidental public meetings. He has allowed the club’s image to be damaged with his boozy antics which so often end up in the gutter press’ gossip columns.
He has allowed himself to believe he is the best defender in the world to pump up his already inflated ego, but more than all of this he has let down the people who matter the most – the fans, his team mates, and his manager.
These are the people who still bought the shirt carrying Ferdinand’s name, these are the people who fought out on the pitch to win trophies for the club, and these are the people who had the faith to sign you, defend you, and offer you the chance to repay that loyalty.
If loyalty needs to be spelt out to Ferdinand, you only have to read this following description of Paul Scholes’ last contract talks.
When Manchester approached him with an offer of an improved deal, Scholes simply told the club that he was happy with what he was currently earning, explained to them he was happy to sign a new extended deal on his current terms, and a few hours later the contract was signed. No agent. No hangers-on. Just Scholes, his financial advisor, and a club lawyer.
That is loyalty...
ads scored @ 12:44 PM
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