Manchester United negotiate with Rio Ferdinand for key role
Edward Woodward, the executive vice-chairman of the Old Trafford club, has met with the former Red Devil as they plan for future glory.
Rio Ferdinand could return to Old Trafford in an official capacity. This is according to the English outlet The Daily Mail, who state that Manchester United's executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, has already spoken with the former defender in attempts to woo him to the club.
Rio for United
The paper claims that it is the Glazer family, the club's owners, who have been interested in bringing the now football pundit back to the place where he made a name for himself internationally, after making the move from Leeds United for a UK record fee. The player retired four years ago but is seen as an important part of the restructuring that is required to get United back where they feel they belong, at the very top of the world game.
Ferdinand's role would be to help guide the transfer strategy of the Red Devils as well as being involved in the negotiations. He would also link directly with the manager. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was part of the same squad as Rio between 2002 and 2007, and is currently at the helm after being appointed on a three-year contract in recent months.
With other talks ongoing to give Mike Phelan and Darren Fletcher important roles at the club, it is believed a concerted effort is being made to create links to the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson. Although there are cases where this approach has worked, for example at Ajax, some critics have suggested that United should be looking forward, and not back, as they target a return to the top of English and European football.