Rio Thanks Sir Alex

Rio Ferdinand has recalled the moment Sir Alex Ferguson informed the players of his impending retirement and thanked the boss for allowing him to manage his own fitness routine.

Sir Alex's man-management is legendary and the experienced defender believes the Scot's approach has enabled him to remain at the top of his game, even earning a place in the PFA Team of the Season.

The centre-back realises he will have to start afresh with new man David Moyes in 2013/2014 but believes he has plenty still to offer at Old Trafford after announcing his international retirement. As everybody still comes to terms with Sir Alex's exit, MUTV spoke exclusively to Ferdinand about the hectic spell.

"We came in and there was a notice on the board to say there was a meeting," Ferdinand revealed. "Everyone was thinking there were rumours in the paper that the manager is going to leave but we're a bit like: 'There's no chance he'll be leaving. There are too many good things going on at the club and what's going to happen in the next couple of years because of the squad he's building'.

"Then he broke the news and the most I remember from it was that it was dead quiet in the room. Even when he left, there was real mad silence and I think that's just a combination of disappointment and respect as well for the manager's decision.

"For what he's done for the club, for us as individuals and as a team, you've got to respect his decision. He's been in the game for a long time, he knows what he's doing and I think he deserves a rest."

Sir Alex has put his trust in Ferdinand to manage his fitness after having to shrug off a niggling back problem that had threatened to limit his involvement.

"I think he puts it on you and other members of staff, the sports science department and physios, to try and work out the way to manage yourself," said the 34-year-old. "Giving you that responsibility.

"I think that's part of his great management. Some people try and dictate and say do it this way: 'I know better than anyone else'. He gives you that responsibility to say: 'Work it out for yourself and get to the point where you know what you are doing and can manage it yourself. So, come Saturday or Sunday, you're available for me to pick you'.

"He let me do that and it released any kind of pressure. Some managers do put [pressure] on players to be fit all the time. I've been in that situation where I think I need to be fit, I really need to be fit and you almost become a hindrance to the team. It's great for me to get that comfort from the manager. I think, as an older player, you need that towards the end of your career."

With Everton boss Moyes coming in to take charge, Ferdinand admits he will need to impress all over again and starts from scratch along with all his team-mates.

"You've got to prove yourself under the new manager," he said. "He's going to come in with new ideas, new rules and a new regime. No matter how long we've been here, the likes of Giggsy and myself have been here for many years, we'll be in the same boat instead as people like Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley. So we've all got to be wanting to prove ourselves to make sure he thinks we're the right people to start each game.

"I think this is the way the manager, in his dreams, would've liked to leave the club - in a fit state for someone else to come in and take the reins. We're not going to be looking up to other teams, we're looking down and saying: 'Come and catch us'.

"We're in a fantastic position. Obviously, they are massive shoes to fill but he couldn't be walking into a healthier situation. The young players here are hungry and want to win stuff. The senior players have won a lot of things but have still got the desire and the work ethic that the manager has instilled into us. I think that's vital for the future of the football club."

Ferdinand has certainly celebrated the title victory in style, leading the chants and singing on the bus during the parade and savouring every moment of the latest league triumph.

"I think the fans see us after the games and before the games doing interviews around the training ground and Old Trafford and we're quite serious and straight," he stated. "It's because we're all professional and all directed towards winning and don't want to get out of our comfort zone really. We just get the interviews done and carry on.

"But it's the end of the season, we've won the league so we can let our hair down, get the party started and we've had a good two weeks. We've had a good few nights out, that are well deserved, and the manager has been great in that sense because he's let us enjoy it.

"I think the first title I enjoyed unbelievably. When I see now the pictures from that night that we won it, I was going bananas on the pitch! When I think about in between, I don't know if I went as crazy as you take it for granted almost. I'm towards the end of my career, I've maybe got a couple of years left and you start really thinking I've got to take it in. I think I took it in this time."