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Retirement a long way off for Rio

Ferdinand has made more appearances this season than he has since 2008-2009 © Getty Images

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• Profile: Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has admitted he would love to play on for another 10 years and is not yet considering retirement as he closes in on a decade of service at Manchester United.

Ferdinand, signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Leeds United in a club-record £29.1 million transfer in July 2002, captained the side to Champions League victory against Chelsea in 2008 and is proud of all he has achieved since arriving at Old Trafford, including five Premier League titles, two League Cups and a Club World Cup.

"My association with the club will be there forever," said Ferdinand. "Moving on was never in my mind. That first press conference, when I walked through the doors of the club, seeing the manager, seeing the pictures of all the old players, I grasped it straight away.

"I wanted to be part of the history of this club and to do that I have to stay here for a good amount of time. I achieved that and hopefully I have a few more chapters. But when I do eventually hang my boots up, I have great memories to take away.

"The manager said the other day that not many players play for one club for 10 years any more. It doesn't happen. To do it at a club like Manchester United that are fighting for league titles and different trophies every year, is good."

Now 33 and with injuries taking their toll over the past three seasons - his 32 appearances this term are the most he has made since the 2008-2009 campaign - Ferdinand's own time in the game is nearly at an end, but the former England captain is keen to leave on his own terms.

"There are not many players who leave this club doing exactly what they want to do," he added. "It wouldn't be good finishing your career with a loss, or by not winning something. The losses now do my head in. To think I wouldn't be able to rectify it the season after because I had retired or left would rankle.

"I am not thinking about retirement. I am trying to play as long as I can. I have another year after this and I want to do another 10. But whenever it is, I would want to go out on a high note."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.