RIO FERDINAND has opened up on the ribbing he received from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his £30million move to Manchester United in 2002.
The England star set a record as most expensive defender ever at the time as he swapped Leeds United for Old Trafford.
And the United dressing room, including current boss Solskjaer, demanded the highest standards immediately.
Speaking to the Mail, Ferdinand revealed that he immediately found passes being fired at his shins in training as his new team-mates tested his skills.
And when one didn’t stick, there was hell to pay.
Ferdinand, 42, said: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the one who immediately went, ’30mill? Really? Wow’.
“It was intimidating but you have to cope.
“I have seen players walk in for England or United and you can see the fear. They can’t deal with it.”
The ribbing clearly didn’t faze Ferdinand, however, as he went from strength to strength at Old Trafford.
He would make 455 appearances for the Red Devils, winning six Premier League titles, two League Cups and a Champions League along the way.
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And Ferdinand clearly still holds Solskjaer in high regard.
He famously got carried away after Man United knocked PSG out of the Champions League in March 2019.
Following the dramatic match, he said on BT Sport: “Get the contract out, put it on the table, let him (Solskjaer) sign it and let him put whatever numbers he wants to put on there given what he’s done since he’s come in.
“Ole’s at the wheel man, he’s doing his thing, United are back!”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
