Ben Guest
Rio Ferdinand has refused to elaborate on the speculation that has seen him being linked with becoming Manchester United’s first-ever director of football.
Reports emerged in the Mail on Tuesday morning linking the former defender with a return to Manchester United, before being picked up by a whole host of media outlets as momentum surrounding the story seemed to gather pace.
The report claimed that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, along with the Glazer family, have wanted to get Ferdinand on board with the club for a number of years, although his well-publicised personal issues have prevented him from taking up a full-time role.
However, having posted a picture on his social media accounts speaking with his former teammate and current Ajax CEO, Edwin van der Sar, the former England centre back subsequently refused to comment on the speculation surrounding his own future.
“The game today is more important than talking about that,” Ferdinand told BT Sport before Ajax’s 1-0 win over Tottenham.
“He’s a lovely fella (Van Der Sar). He’s doing a fantastic job there. He was just telling me the ins and outs of what he actually gets up to there.
“It’s very demanding but very satisfying when you’re playing at a level like this at this stage in the tournament.”
Reports in the London Evening Standard have suggested that Ed Woodward has moved his own goalposts, seemingly dismissing people with experience in a technical director role in favour of those with previous links to the club, with Mike Phelan and Darren Fletcher also linked with roles within the clubs revised structure.