• Premier League

Ferdinand may retire at end of the season

Rio Ferdinand has been used less regularly by David Moyes © PA Photos

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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could retire at the end of the season when his contract at Old Trafford expires, according to The Times.

Ferdinand, 35, will enter the final six months of his current deal in the New Year, and it remains to be seen if he will be offered a new deal by United boss David Moyes.

The former England centre-back has been used less regularly by Moyes having started seven of Moyes' first eight matches in charge. Since then, Ferdinand has seen less action, and has been left out of the matchday squad for four of United's last seven games as the club has enjoyed an upturn in results.

The Times reports that - with a Champions League triumph, six Premier League winners' medals and a burgeoning career in punditry and publishing - Ferdinand is "giving serious consideration" to ending almost two decades as a professional.

Moyes said that he is eager to continue the tradition of trusting young players to thrive for United which brought his predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson, so much success at Old Trafford.

"We've got a team that has a lot of energy at the moment," he told The Sun. "This club has been renowned for promoting young players and putting them in.

"You have to develop them and protect them, of course. But there's also part of you that has to say to them 'stand up and show us what you can do, you've been given the opportunity'.

"I like to have a good energy about my team, a team that passes the ball well. But I want them to be able to run and be exciting and you have to have all of those qualities.

"We're slowly starting to get them all a little bit better, game by game."

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