Man Utd icon Ferdinand admits his most ‘pleasurable’ soccer got here at Leeds

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has admitted that his “most pleasurable soccer” got here throughout his time at Leeds United.

The previous England star moved to Elland Street from West Ham in 2000, spending two years in Yorkshire earlier than departing for Outdated Trafford.

And whereas he received numerous trophies as a Pink Satan, Ferdinand, 43, nonetheless has loads of good issues to say about rivals Leeds, who tackle Man Utd this afternoon.

Talking to BT Sport in 2020 after Leed’s first few outings again within the high flight, Ferdinand gushed about his time at Elland Street.

He stated: “As a lot as there was numerous speak about me going to Man United and it was emotional, for lots of the followers it was troublesome to just accept.

“However I believe in the long run it was confirmed that the explanation why I went have been justified, however I most likely had my most pleasurable soccer once I performed right here [at Leeds].

“I beloved it at West Ham however we didn’t win that a lot, I beloved it at Man United, we received lots however with that got here numerous strain.

“So the enjoyment issue isn’t as free-spirited because it was once I was right here at Leeds the place we received a good quantity when it comes to video games, bought to some good heights, Champions League semi-final etcetera, and there wasn’t that added strain or expectations with it.

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“We have been a younger squad, all good lads, all socialised collectively as nicely and I simply had some unbelievable instances right here, actually loved my soccer right here, loved my time, the folks have been nice.

“The place I lived was unbelievable so I’ve by no means had something dangerous to say about Leeds. It’s at all times been someplace that I’ve at all times appreciated at it was a part of my journey.”

Leeds succumbed to relegation two years after Ferdinand left for Manchester United.

However after 16 years of harm they made it again to the massive time and their former defender believed that they will take the league by storm.

Ferdinand was proved proper final season as Marcelo Bielsa’s facet as they completed in a exceptional ninth place after a 12 months of swashbuckling soccer.

Though now the Whites could possibly be affected by what some name ‘second season syndrome’.

The Elland Street outfit have received simply 5 Prem video games this season and presently lie fifteenth within the desk.

Ferdinand continued: “Once more, I believe Leeds are a breath of recent air for the league.

“I believe final [two] seasons [ago] Sheffield United took that mantle, they have been the workforce that got here up and shocked a couple of, a brand new system, however this has gone to a different excessive.

“The way in which that Leeds are arrange, the way in which they play, they’re going to outrun most groups bodily, however tactically they appear like a workforce that’s arrange very, very nicely and you’ll see that there’s numerous work that goes in on the coaching floor whenever you get to matchday as a result of they do ask groups numerous questions, whether or not it’s tactically or bodily.

“I believe that we noticed on the primary day of the [last] season, towards Liverpool, they might have received that recreation simply and so they’re enjoying towards the champions, so it tells you that they’re going to present numerous groups a run for his or her cash.

“Fulham, they went on the market and bought the three factors. I believe that’s the factor they should do, get factors on the board, draw confidence from that and the techniques, they’ll be capable to fall again on that, particularly later down the road within the season when issues cool down somewhat bit.”

And Ferdinand, having watched a coaching session, was additionally awestruck by the work of supervisor Bielsa.

He added: “I’ve bought to be trustworthy, Bielsa, I’ve heard lots about him and other people speak about how nice he’s.

“Lots of people use the phrase scientist, he’s bought a scientific method to the sport. He’s been round a very long time however whenever you haven’t seen it and also you go and see it, it’s a breath of recent air.

“It’s so informative, there’s numerous questions in your thoughts whenever you’re watching them practice. There’s a objective behind each session, there’s no wastage when it comes to time, very methodical.

“It actually pursuits me, actually intriguing, I’d like to get a little bit of time to talk to him, even by means of a translator simply to grasp how and why he’s bought so far.”

Learn the complete interview on btsport.com. 

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