Stopper's Grown To Be Rio Deal

Jul 25 2008 By Ed Casey Premiership Latest... Ferdinand Best Defender In Europe Says Former Old Trafford Star Gary FORMER Manchester United star Gary Pallister reckons Rio Ferdinand has matured into the best defender in Europe. Ferdinand, a £30million buy from Leeds in 2002, has not always been a favourite with the Old Trafford support. The fans were particularly upset by the stopper's contract stand-off three years ago which followed his eight-month ban for a missed drugs test. But when Ferdinand signed that deal, and another last season which will keep him at the club until 2013, he silenced the critics who claimed he wanted back home to London. The 29-year-old England star helped Sir Alex Ferguson's side win back-to-back Premier League titles over the last two seasons and skippered them to Champions League glory in Moscow... [read full story]