Rio Wants To Carry On

Rio Ferdinand is hoping to continue playing in the 'big games', but does not expect to emulate Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs.

United defender Ferdinand has made 24 appearances in the Premier League this season, but is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Reports claim the 34-year-old will be offered a new one-year deal and Ferdinand has suggested he is keen to stay, but has no plans to follow the example of Giggs, who has agreed to play into his 40s.

"I'm just enjoying my football, playing in the big games, being a regular in the team," Ferdinand is quoted in the Daily Mail. "It enables you to hit a bit of form. I hope I can carry on.

"When you get to my stage you take it year by year. I'm working out my routine.

"But no-one else will be able to do what Giggsy has done. He's got a certain body type, works on it and gets the best out of it."

Meanwhile, Ferdinand is not taking United's expected title success for granted, despite the leaders boasting a 15-point gap over Manchester City ahead of Wednesday night's game against West Ham United.

Ferdinand added: "We've got to make sure we finish the season correctly and get this title back. We're not far off it, but it's not over until it's over. We have to make sure we remain focused and apply ourselves in the right way.

"I'm not really surprised by the lead if I'm honest. When I look around the changing room I expect us to be winning games nine times out of 10.

"I believe in the squad, believe we can win games in various ways, winning ugly, playing fluent football, keeping a clean sheet.

"It would be great to win it again, but until we do I don't want to talk much about it. Last season a lot of people got ahead of themselves."