Smith: Rio Loves The Game

Former Red Alan Smith discusses his time with Rio Ferdinand at Leeds and Manchester United...

I think the move from West Ham to Leeds with the price-tag on his head was a big thing at the time but Rio, being Rio, took it in his stride. Those years he spent at Leeds were big years for him in terms of his development and he has matured so much since then.

Obviously, the next step was for Sir Alex to sign him and he’s been there over 10 years now which is incredible as it seems to have flown by. He’s now achieved so much and won so many trophies but we’ve seen he still has that desire to continue to try and win things. The FA Cup, I think, is the only medal he has not won yet, which is a shame but, hopefully, before his career finishes at Manchester United, he will manage to win it.

It was a difficult situation at Leeds as we were trying to find a formation to fit him in. We went with three at the back just because we had good defenders and the pressure was on for his debut at Leicester. Everybody’s first game is a little difficult after a big move and you can see that the pressure put on people is extraordinary. But Rio coming to Leeds was part of a learning curve for him before he went to Manchester United, a stepping stone, where he has had to deal with that kind of intense pressure. Initially, the run that we had at Leeds in the Champions League was important as Rio was integral to that – I think he’d only signed that January. He has just developed into a player that has gone on to achieve great things.

You could definitely tell at Leeds he was going to be a top player. He had every attribute you need, not just to be a centre-back but everywhere. He could play in a number of positions and I think he made his England debut at right-back. You could always tell that he was so comfortable in possession of the ball and coming out from the back. He was one of the first modern-day centre-backs where they are really comfortable in possession and probably more and more like a Spanish or continental type of centre-back who is great in possession. But he also had determination and an all-round game that was obviously going to take him to international level, where he played so many times for England. When he was in the World Cup in 2002, he was named in the team of the tournament.

You know what Rio is like. On his first day, signing for Manchester United, he wore a white suit! He’s always going to be a character and is still full of enthusiasm. When you get to know Rio, you realise he absolutely loves football. I remember when he first came to Leeds, Rio, Eddie Gray and I sat talking. Eddie loves football so much too and could sit down and chat and listen. He would talk football for hours with Rio. Some people forget that about Rio and see him doing different ventures away from the game but his main concern is always the football. A lot of people don’t see from the outside how much he cares about it.

I remember Cristiano Ronaldo always tried to do skills and stuff with Rio and they were buzzing off each other with their ability and skills. I think people forget that we’re actually lads playing football and seeing people doing different stuff is a main part of it. If you’re playing football, you never want that taken away. Rio’s career has been a great one and he fully deserves the testimonial.

He helped me settle at Old Trafford. I did know a few of the lads from England but obviously I knew him from my time at Leeds. I think he had a word with the boss before I came to edge him towards signing me. It’s always different when you know someone as a team-mate rather than watching him as a player. You get to know people personally and, when I came to Manchester United, Rio helped me so much. He had only been there a year himself but he helped me settle and the boot was on the other foot from when I helped him at Leeds. He is always one of those people who is there for everybody and gets on with most people. You can see he is a bubbly, lively character.

Despite his age, I don’t think his performances have dipped. Not at all. People just like to try and upset the applecart and make certain people scapegoats. I think every Manchester United fan will probably say that last year Rio was as good as he’s been throughout his career. United won the league comfortably again with Rio as part of that defensive unit and you are always going to have a great chance with that stability at the back.