A Tribute To Rio Ferdinand - Manchester United's Towering Centre-Back

Rio Ferdinand is a man who splits opinion across the country. When he was playing for West Ham as a youngster the nation was drooling in anticipation regarding the Englishman's future, but mindsets changed when he switched to Manchester United 2002. His stint with Leeds in between the two is largely forgotten as the Yorkshiremen have sunk into the lower leagues, but  during his time at Old Trafford he has duly been loved by his own, hated by the enemy.

His composure on the ball has always been a massive trait of Ferdinand's as his prowess in the air, as as his legs have aged he's had to rely on those traits even more.

Now at 34 and with not long left on his contract, the lanky defender has made over 400 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring eight goals, and has been essential to the club's success over the past decade.

He has the strength of a horse, the determination of a top professional and still holds the younger of a teenage boy trying to make it in the scary world of football.

Ferdinand is a hero at Old Trafford, and rightly so. Despite some writing him off this season, Ferdinand has averaged 10 defensive actions per game in his six appearances this season and won 69% of his duels - including 5/5 of his tackles.

Watch this clip and you start to feel just how important he has been to United since his time there.