MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has set the record straight after seeing a picture of a young Leeds fan with a ‘Rio Who?’ sign.
The old rivals are set to renew their fierce rivalry in the Premier League today for the first time in 16 years and social media has been rife with banter between the two sets of supporters.
The cheek of it… “Rio Who” ya know! And I was your captain lil man @LUFC
@ManUtd
British Transfer Record: £30mill#MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/bnO19U3ldR
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 20, 2020
Ferdinand crossed derby lines when he left Leeds for Old Trafford in 2002 for a then-British transfer record £30million, but was quick to point out his history with the Elland Road outfit after seeing a fan had questioned who he was.
Ferdinand tweeted: “The cheek of it… ‘Rio Who’ ya know!
“And I was your captain lil man.”
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And Ferdinand couldn’t help himself when a Leeds fan pointed out that despite his role as captain, he had walked out on the club.
Ferdinand responded: “I had to win trophies mate – apologies!”
Ferdinand joined Leeds from West Ham in 2000, becoming the world’s most expensive defender at the time at £18m.
Despite just one season at the club, he was appointed captain in 2001 but the Whites’ financial troubles forced them to sell a year later.
Ferdinand went on to lift six Premier League titles and 14 trophies with Manchester United, while Leeds were relegated from the top flight two years after his departure.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side welcome Leeds to Old Trafford on Sunday knowing a win could take them into the Premier League top four for the first time this season.
Solskjaer was a second-half substitute the last time two sides met in the Premier League – a 1-1 draw in February 2004.
The Red Devils have not lost at home to Leeds in the league since 1981.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side though, will be brimming with confidence after their 5-2 win over Newcastle in midweek.
