Rio Ferdinand has admitted that there were only a “couple of things” that former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson showed him as a defender.
Manchester United broke the British record transfer fee at the time to sign Rio Ferdinand from rivals Leeds United in 2002.
The Red Devils agreed a £30m fee to bring Ferdinand to Old Trafford, with the former Leeds defender excelling under Sir Alex Ferguson’s tutelage.
Ferdinand made a whopping 455 appearances during his legendary spell at United and was at the heart of defence for the Red Devils under Ferguson’s reign.
The 45-year-old former United defender lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and two League Cups during his run at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand, who is regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history, also struck up a remarkable partnership with fellow legend Nemanja Vidic at United.
The United legend spent one season under Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes, before he left Old Trafford and signed for Queens Park Rangers in 2014.
Ferdinand on Ferguson’s tactical advice
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand recalled the important advice that he once received from Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of a Liverpool match.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic had their share of battles with Liverpool’s legendary attackers of the past, including Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez.
Luis Suarez arrived at Anfield from Ajax in 2011 and the 37-year-old Uruguayan striker had a memorable impact for Liverpool as a forward option.
Ferdinand revealed that legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told him not to “nibble [at] the ball” to avoid falling into Suarez’s trap.
“Ferguson, there’s maybe a couple of things in my 12/13 years at the club that he showed me as a defender,” he said.
“I remember Luis Suarez is in crazy form when he was at Liverpool. One of the best strikers on the planet at the time.
“So obviously that was a detail we had to address, and he [Sir Alex Ferguson] said to me, when you get him, he will get you one vs one because that’s what he’s good at.
“You get an isolated defender somewhere and you’ll get that at some point. Do not nibble, do not go in to try and nibble the ball.
“Wait, delay and say come on, now you have to make a decision.”
Ferdinand on playing against Suarez
Luis Suarez only lifted a League Cup with Liverpool before his move to Barcelona, with the former Reds striker enjoying more silverware success at the Camp Nou.
However, the Inter Miami star captured the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2013-14 season, despite Liverpool missing out on the title to Manchester City.
Suarez went on to lift four La Liga titles, a Champions League and four Copa del Reys with Barcelona before he signed for Atletico Madrid in 2020.
Ferdinand made a comparison between Suarez and United cult hero Nani over how the former Barcelona and Liverpool striker could produce “reactive dribbles.”
“More times than not he [Luis Suarez] got the ball, turned out and played to someone,” he added.
“Whereas if I went to nibble, he’s a bit like Nani, they were reactive dribbles. He’d react to you nibbling to then go on your weakness from there.
“He was brilliant, and the ricochets he would get, he was brilliant at it.”
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