sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Rio Ferdinand names his 'worst teammate' at Manchester United

Home> Football> Premier League

Updated 18:26 16 Dec 2023 GMTPublished 18:27 16 Dec 2023 GMT

Rio Ferdinand names his 'worst teammate' at Manchester United

Ex-Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has named the player who was the 'worst teammate' in his 12 years at the club.

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Rio Ferdinand is one of Manchester United's greatest ever defenders and was part of one of the most successful eras in the club's history.

The former defender won six Premier League titles, a Champions League title, two League Cups and the Club World Cup during his 12 years at the club.

Ferdinand has made a career for himself post-football, venturing into punditry and spending more time creating content for his YouTube channel.

Advert

The 45-year-old was recently on the BBC podcast, hosted by Rugby League legend Rob Burrow who asks guests seven questions using an eyeball machine, as he lives with motor neurone disease.

When asked who his worst teammate was at United, Ferdinand said: "The worst teammate I probably had the most arguments with Wayne Rooney to be honest with you. Never came to blows, it was on the pitch,"

"We never argued in training really, it was just match day, we probably argued once every two or three games, effing and blinding, screaming at each other because I wanted more from him.

He continued: "I knew what he was good at and I knew he could do more. I'd want him to be more effective or something.

"The biggest thing for me with Wayne is he wanted to play 30 or 40 yard passes like Paul Scholes, and he could do it, he was that good. I wanted him to score 30 or 40 goals a season, because he could.

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney were teammates at the club for 10 years. (
Getty)

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney were two of United's key figures during one of the club's most decorated periods, also being teammates in the England setup.

Talking about Rooney's hunger to be involved, Ferdinand continued: "We played one season and he scored 30-something goals and he wasn't happy because he wasn't getting involved in the game and dictating it, he was having to play high and I couldn't get my head around it. That's the top striker, I want you to be that because I know you can be that."

"But he loved football that much he wanted to play football like he was playing in the park, and we used to argue, I'd tell him to shoot and he'd scream back at me. But they were good arguments."

The fire and aggression described between the two might be exactly what the lacklustre United squad of today lacks.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United, Wayne Rooney

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Freelance football writer.

X

@joshnair10

Recommended reads

Ranking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

14 hours ago
19 hours ago
20 hours ago
a day ago
  • Getty / Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC
    14 hours ago

    QUIZ: Name Arsene Wenger's 25 most expensive signings as Arsenal manager

    Wenger made 125 signings while at Arsenal. We're challenging you to name his 25 most expensive ones.

    Football
  • Getty
    19 hours ago

    TNT reporter responds after Mateta interview goes viral for 'little cuddle'

    “We are all having a little cuddle here" - Jean-Philippe Mateta got fans talking after this interview.

    Football
  • Getty
    20 hours ago

    Arne Slot sack update from Liverpool hierarchy emerges after PSG defeat

    The Liverpool boss is under pressure after his side's defeat against PSG in the Champions League.

    Football
  • Getty
    a day ago

    The player Thierry Henry once said was his toughest opponent is now unrecognisable

    He was a fearsome defender as a player but now lives a very different life...

    Football
  • Rio Ferdinand gave shock answer when naming his 'worst' team-mate in 12 years at Manchester United
  • Rio Ferdinand snubs Cristiano Ronaldo as he names the Man Utd superstar who made immediate impact at the club
  • Rio Ferdinand Named Overlooked England Star Who ‘Made Everyone Better’
  • Rio Ferdinand Speaks Out After Ruben Amorim ‘Squares Up’ to Player