Rio Ferdinand explains why he tried to join Arsenal after Man Utd exit

Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he wanted to join Arsenal after being released from Manchester United in 2014. The 42-year-old, who is a prominent figure in media these days, was one of Louis van Gaal’s first casualties at the club in 2014.

Following a disappointing campaign under David Moyes, the former Leeds and West Ham star joined Queens Park Rangers in what would be his final campaign before retiring.

Ferdinand has now revealed that before linking up with Harry Redknapp at the London club, he tried to persuade Arsene Wenger into taking him in at Arsenal.

“The maddest thing is I thought about [joining] Arsenal,” Ferdinand told his FIVE YouTube channel, via Daily Mail.

“I said, “Arsene, listen, I am leaving Man United and if you want, I will come and try and help the dressing room, etc. because I think you need help in that department. I will obviously play but, more importantly, I will come for the culture”.

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“He didn’t take me up on the offer and he was right because my performances at QPR weren’t up to the levels. But in the changing room, I believe I could have helped him because that is where a lot of the culture derives from.”

Despite making an effort to join Arsenal, a move would most likely not have affected his relationship with Manchester United supporters due to the timing of it.

Although Ferdinand had been released by the club, he had been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year just a year prior to his exit and still looked in good enough shape to compete at the highest level.

Instead, the iconic defender headed towards retirement but will look back on his time at Old Trafford with great pride.

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