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

Former Man Utd No.2 suggests only reason Michael Carrick would not get the full-time jobGetty ImagesVinnie Jones ‘would love’ for rags to riches life story to be made into movie as he talks Netflix documentaryNetflixMan Utd's 15 transfer targets to fill four key positions as at least six prepare to leaveGetty ImagesDennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGetty

Advert

  • Rio Ferdinand tears into Jamie Carragher's career as spat turns nasty
  • Jamie Carragher reignites Rio Ferdinand feud minutes before Man Utd vs Liverpool
  • Rio Ferdinand explains surprise World Cup decision after 'humbling' experience hosting draw
  • Rio Ferdinand snubs Cristiano Ronaldo as he names the Man Utd superstar who made immediate impact at the club

Choose your content:

23 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty
    23 mins ago

    Fans stunned after cameras show Morgan Gibbs-White's 'brutal' injury three days after Chelsea clash

    Gibbs-White suffered a nasty cut to his forehead after colliding with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in Forest's 3-1 win.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Real reason behind Valverde and Tchouameni fight emerges as worrying update given

    The true reason behind the fight between Real Madrid stars Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni has emerged.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Shakira unveils official World Cup 2026 song and everyone's saying the same thing

    The official 2026 FIFA World Cup song is here - and it is performed by a familiar face.

    Football
  • Lars Baron/Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Real Madrid star 'considering retirement' over horrific injury as club crisis spirals

    The situation at Real Madrid has got even worse as a key player is set to be out for over a year.

    Football