Rio: Maintain The Legacy

Rio Ferdinand insists the current Manchester United team must honour Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy by winning even more trophies under incoming boss David Moyes.

Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Swansea City was the manager’s final outing at Old Trafford, bringing the curtain down on an unprecedented reign that yielded 38 major honours - making him the most successful British manager of all-time.

And Rio, who fittingly scored a late winner to conclude an epic afternoon, is adamant that his team-mates will retain the attributes that defined Sir Alex’s tenure, stating his desire to claim more honours.

“The manager's last game at the club is an unbelievable moment and to be a part of that was great,” Rio told MUTV. “It was only right that we finished his career at Old Trafford with the three points - which is what he wanted.

“The manager's desire and appetite to win football matches is unrivalled and it’s up to us to continue that legacy, to continue that with the new manager. The manager (Sir Alex) mentioned the new manager (Moyes) and the support that we need to give him as players, staff and fans of this football club. I’m sure that will happen because this is a great club and we are built like that.”

Ferdinand went on to say: “The manager has left the club in great health and we are looking forward. We have a number of young players who are eager to win things, be successful and to work hard - that is what the manager has instilled in them. The work ethic has got to continue under the new manager if we are going to be successful and I’d like to be a part of that.”

On a personal level, Sunday’s trophy presentation supplied Ferdinand with his sixth Barclays Premier League winners’ medal, a feat he barely dreamt of when he arrived at United in 2002. But now, having been so successful, the veteran defender is desperate for more.

“It is dreams. I dreamt of getting one when I turned up here so to get six is an unbelievable achievement. I remember when I walked through the door and looking at Giggs, Scholes and Gary Neville, and all of the other guys, who all had five, six or seven each.

“I just wanted one and I’d be happy. Then you win one and you want another one. You continue to strive to succeed, to achieve things and to win trophies. That is part of being at this club. The main ingredient of this club is to win things and to be successful.”