Rio Ferdinand claims he ‘SAVED’ Leeds from bankruptcy with his big money move to Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand claims he ‘SAVED’ Leeds from bankruptcy with his £30m move to Manchester United in 2002… and says manager Terry Venables ‘lied’ about the club’s financial situation to try and convince him to stay

  • Rio Ferdinand claims he ‘saved’ Leeds United from bankruptcy in 2002
  • The defender completed a British-record move to Manchester United 
  • The Yorkshire club were facing massive financial struggles at the time 
  • Ferdinand claims at-the-time boss Terry Venables ‘lied’ about the situation 

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand claims he ‘saved’ Leeds United from bankruptcy with his move to the Red Devils in 2002.

The former England international had spent two seasons with the Yorkshire side before leaving for a British-record £30million fee to join Man United amid the club’s financial struggles.

The 43-year-old has now opened up on that time during his career and suggested that he was lied to about the severity of the situation. 

Rio Ferdinand opened up about his move to Manchester United on the FilthyFellas Podcast

Ferdinand joined the Red Devils from Leeds in 2002 for a British-record fee of £30million

Ferdinand joined the Red Devils from Leeds in 2002 for a British-record fee of £30million

When asked about Leeds’ situation in 2002 on the FilthyFellas Podcast, Ferdinand said: ‘I ducked out mate. You think I’m going to stay through that? No chance. I saved Leeds!’

On their financial struggles, he said: ‘I knew through my agent at the time. You know Philip Green who owns Topshop? The [Leeds] CEO at the time, I forget his name, used to work for Philip Green. And he’d been telling my agent, “the club’s in big trouble. Bigger than being reported. They have to let Rio go, he’s the biggest asset they’ve got. If he doesn’t go, the club folds.”

‘At the same time, Man Utd want me. Nicky Butt and all the guys in the England squad are going “Rio, the manager really likes you”. I knew I wanted to go. I wanted to win.

Terry Venables even called me and said to me “We’re gonna invest next season”, I’m thinking “you’re lying! Don’t lie”. They were all trying to say you can stay because we’ve got money, but I knew.’

The defender claims his agent told him 'the club folds' if he didn't leave for Manchester

The defender claims his agent told him ‘the club folds’ if he didn’t leave for Manchester

Ferdinand said he caught Terry Venables 'lying' about the club's dire financial situation

Ferdinand said he caught Terry Venables ‘lying’ about the club’s dire financial situation

David O’Leary, the Leeds manager when Ferdinand was being sold, was furious with the club’s decision and clashed with chairman Peter Ridsdale – who consequently fired O’Leary and hired Venables.

Venables tried convincing Ferdinand to stay but evidently it was to no avail as the defender left that summer. Other valuable players such as Jonathan Woodgate were also shipped out the club, despite promises made to Venables. 

Ferdinand went on to win six Premier League trophies and one Champions League with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United. 

He came through the academy at West Ham and spent six seasons with the club before joining Leeds and consequently Man United for 12 years before retiring at Queen’s Park Rangers.

Ferdinand went on to become one of the most successful defenders in Premier League history

Ferdinand went on to become one of the most successful defenders in Premier League history

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