One of the most important players for United and England in the 2000's decade. Rio was world-class in every respect, being a perfect foil to Vida at United. I think Rio-Vida has been the best defence in PL era, bar none. We paid quite a lot for a very young defender at that time but his composure makes him stand out - always so calm on the ball yet one could see the fire just underneath shouting, gesticulating and organizing his line. As to the best ever, there may be a few who are a bit better but Rio's surely up there. I think Stam, if he had stayed longer would be a good shout too.
How good was Rio Ferdinand? | …….
- Thread starter Paxi
- Start date
He was the best defender in the league for a good while.
Reading through this thread, there were some incredible defenders around in the noughties. Ferdinand, Vidic, Terry, Carvalho, Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini, Puyol, Stam, Dessailly, Cole, Lucio, Campbell. There's no doubt loads more, but when the list from today's generation stops after Godin and Ramos then you can see how far it's fallen.
The one sloppy pass that I won't forget is that lob he tried against City leading to the Bellamy goal in the 4-3 win. I was so infuriated with him until Owen scored the winner. But, overall he was a good passer and a world class defender.
Excellent.
One of the best sweeper type of CB (Nesta, Maldini & R. Marquez comes into mind).
Especially for English players, that kind is very rare.
Composed passer.
Reading interceptor.
Athletic tackler.
Positioning expert.
Organization leader.
Marking master.
One-on-one king.
Consistency commander.
Homogenizing partner.
Though, tbh, he does have those rare momentary lapse of concentration occasionally, leading to costly mistakes.
One of the best sweeper type of CB (Nesta, Maldini & R. Marquez comes into mind).
Especially for English players, that kind is very rare.
Composed passer.
Reading interceptor.
Athletic tackler.
Positioning expert.
Organization leader.
Marking master.
One-on-one king.
Consistency commander.
Homogenizing partner.
Though, tbh, he does have those rare momentary lapse of concentration occasionally, leading to costly mistakes.
Legend class. Only Nesta from his generation was better.
Disagree tbh. The best defender i've seen at united.
He was the perfect defender apart from the occasional lapse in concentration. Stam was the same but without the brain farts.
Rio was silky and composed but we quite blatantly missed Vidic a lot more when he was out. Also, Rio's passing is overrated. He was very calm and composed on the ball which gave you the impression that he would playing 60 yarder to the strikers but in truth he was more likely to hoof it to the opposition keeper. As a defender, he was imperious though.
Does anyone have Rio big match record .. did he play during those Milan games of 2006/07? Was he at fault for any big match goals in comparison to Vidic
He didn't play against Milan in 06-07, he injured his back just before the tie. Vidic played only in second leg but he was half fit.
Pointless, Messi absolutely skinned him a few times as well.
One of the best to wear United shirt. Easily. That said, he was not as good as Vidic.
My impression has always been that week in week out Vidic was more important to us in the league in situations like West Ham away or matches at the Britannia .. whereas in Europe and against higher tier attackers, we relied more on Rio who had that class and natural athleticism to nullify the worlds elite attackers.
Hence why we started to become consistent in the league and in Europe because they both meshed well in that regard.
I think that's why in the draft community someone like Rio is more highly rated because he's often pitched against greatest of all time attackers and people reckon he'd hold his own whereas Vidic is seen as more vulnerable whereas during course of a league season Vidic is indispensable as he is ever present and very consistent week in week out.
I'd only have Nesta ahead of him in 21 century. Hard to separate him from the next group, with Cannavaro and Vidic. He was the most complete out of those three though.
Again, if we're talking about the greatest United central defender ever, he probably deserves by a slim margin ahead of McGrath, Stam and Vidic
Again, if we're talking about the greatest United central defender ever, he probably deserves by a slim margin ahead of McGrath, Stam and Vidic
Reading through this thread just remind me how lucky and blessed we were, having to witness the like of Rio, Vidic, Evra, Neville, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, Ji Park, Saha, VDS, ...... and SAF was a gift from heaven and to remember those years just give me pure joy! Even if we're struggling today, I know our time will raise again, let's just be patient!
To people saying that Rio was overrated and sloppy on the ball, you have just to go and watch some videos from the 2007/08 - 10/11! The guy was one of the best defender I have ever seen in the history of this game! Only Nesta was a little better! But Rio with Vidic along with the CO92 are the kind of players who make you feel proud of being a Manchester United fan!
To people saying that Rio was overrated and sloppy on the ball, you have just to go and watch some videos from the 2007/08 - 10/11! The guy was one of the best defender I have ever seen in the history of this game! Only Nesta was a little better! But Rio with Vidic along with the CO92 are the kind of players who make you feel proud of being a Manchester United fan!
Rio was brilliant during his prime, same with Vidic. But among Rio, Carvalho, Vidic and Terry as some of you mentioned, Terry is the best IMO.
He won the best defender award in Europe three times, a record. Roberto Carlos, Jaap Stam won two times while Puyol and Carvalho both won only one time.
He won the best defender award in Europe three times, a record. Roberto Carlos, Jaap Stam won two times while Puyol and Carvalho both won only one time.
Probably not the best defender ever for any individual attribute, but probably not far off on most categories, which might make him one of the most complete defenders ever.
He was probably a solid 8/10 pure defensive metrics, versus Stam or Vidic as 10/10s.
Ball playing maybe 6/10, but that's better than most.
He was fairly good in the air, but again not his best metric.
He was quicker than Terry and probably better because of this, also just not a c#nt and that counts for something.
His goal scoring was nothing special, 14 goals in almost 600 games for club and country.
He was probably a solid 8/10 pure defensive metrics, versus Stam or Vidic as 10/10s.
Ball playing maybe 6/10, but that's better than most.
He was fairly good in the air, but again not his best metric.
He was quicker than Terry and probably better because of this, also just not a c#nt and that counts for something.
His goal scoring was nothing special, 14 goals in almost 600 games for club and country.
Quite good
I remember reading that Ramos has more red cards in his career than Rio picked up yellows. .. class if true
Agree with this
World class. Best defender I've seen play for us.
I think Rio was slightly underrated by the majority of English fans. For me, he was our best defender, at his best better than Vidic. I feel like people prefer Vidic due to his hard man look and style. Rio was classy on the ball, rarely did he have to go to ground which would help him collect the ball rather than just win it. Exceptional CB.
I think Rio was amazing on the ball. He always had that calmness about him; contrast that with Vidic who was pure brute force and strength. Young Rio was bloody quick too for a big man. He did slow down a great deal as he aged but then had back problems to deal with.
I also suspect he had a great deal to do with Nemanja settling down to life in England and Manchester United. They forged such a great partnership, which was surely built on good foundation. Definitely the best CB pairing i have ever watched. Both legends of the club now
Oh and what an ocassion to score a goal - on Sir Alex's very last game at OT!
I also suspect he had a great deal to do with Nemanja settling down to life in England and Manchester United. They forged such a great partnership, which was surely built on good foundation. Definitely the best CB pairing i have ever watched. Both legends of the club now
Oh and what an ocassion to score a goal - on Sir Alex's very last game at OT!
No, he wasn't. And that's nothing against Rio. But no, he wasn't better than Cannavaro.
Yes. Good post, man! So glad to see Carrick thrown in there. He's been central to the club's successes under SAF.
Bonucci, Chiellini and Boateng are worth a nod.
As a pair they were near perfect. Then with Neville and Evra as fullbacks, VDS as Goal keeper we had amazing defense. Rio and Vida were the most important though, they brought such calmness to the team.
True
Fergie once said Rio was a rolls royce of a defender and I completely agree with that parallel. He would cope with attackers with a grace of martial arts master. His elegance would stand out when compared to brut force of Nemania Vidić. Happy times to have them both playing for us.
Best defender in the world during his peak.
The best CB I've seen at the club.
Barely committed a foul.
Barely committed a foul.
Rio was a fantastic player, and massively under rated by some. In 2008 he was the best centre back in the world and was world class for 5 or 6 seasons. In the same bracket as the very best from the last 20 years or so.
Best defender I have seen..
He was an amazing defender, but I always felt his distribution was way overrated. He loved a good huff.
Rio was also incredibly good from 00 - 02 in those dangerous Leeds sides.
Very. Vidic was not better than him.
The best defender I have seen would have to be Nesta. Its a shame he was injured so often.
But for me Rio comes in at number two. He had everything you'd want in a center back and always made it look effortless. For me he is the best defender we've had at united.
But for me Rio comes in at number two. He had everything you'd want in a center back and always made it look effortless. For me he is the best defender we've had at united.
Tiago Silva was class too pre PSG
This, comfortably better than Vidic who himself was a great defender.