Rio: I deserved more respect from United

RIO Ferdinand has admitted he felt a feeling of respect was missing when he left United in 2014.

After 12 years at the club, the centreback was told he would not be offered a contract extension at the end of the 2013/14 campaign, and that he could go on a free transfer. He was soon snapped up by QPR, joining the Londoners on a one-year deal.

Ferdinand enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford, winning 14 major honours, including six Premier League titles. He established himself as one of England’s leading centrebacks, as well as forming a formidable defensive partnership with Nemanja Vidic.

The former Leeds United man was left bitterly disappointed by the circumstances surrounding his exit after executive vice-chairman Ed

Woodward told him he would be being released just moments after the final game of the season, a 1-1 draw away to Southampton.

“I felt a lack of respect, that’s what I felt,” Ferdinand told Vibe with Five. “Someone who’s been at the club 12, 13 years and had a successful period as it was, and they know you’ve been committed and the commitment’s been there... good times.

“The fans know there’s been that type of connection. There were times, dicky moments here and there, but that’s part of life – ups and downs, good times and bad times.

“But the bottom end of it, there’s a respect element and it’s mad because you still see some players leave clubs.

“Barcelona do it brilliantly, we saw West Ham with the way they did it with [Mark] Noble. It was beautiful and them moments are something to savour.”