Rio Wants The Last Laugh

Rio Ferdinand has an added motivation to sustain his success with United: a peaceful school run.

The United and England defender comes into contact with his own children’s schoolmates each morning, leaving him open to playground ribbing whenever the Reds have suffered a setback.

“When you're walking up the path to school, dropping your kids off, you don't want little kids laughing at you or making fun of you because you've been beaten by so-and-so,” Rio explained to ManUtd.com and Press Association. “But that's what happens if you lose games or get knocked out of competitions.

“Young kids can be unforgiving. There's nothing in their minds that goes: 'he plays football, leave him alone'. If anything, they're even worse for it. But there's still a little kid inside of me who has pride and an ego and wants to make sure I can walk up that path and nobody can say anything to me because we've won.

“As soon as that feeling goes it's time to pack up my boots.”

Ferdinand was almost certainly on the receiving end of youngsters' mirth back in December when United tumbled out of the Champions League. At the time, he insisted the Reds would respect the Europa League and now maintains the squad wants to go all the way and win the competition.

“We just go out there and perform to the best of our capabilities,” Rio said. “We know we've got fans to go out and impress and we want them talking about us in the right way.

“The management feel the same. As players we demand the highest standards of ourselves and if we don't meet them the dressing room isn't a nice place to be.”