Rio Ferdinand is certainly not perceived as a Leeds United legend in the fanbase’s eyes.
The former England centre-back made the controversial move from Leeds to join Man United in 2002.
Previously, Ferdinand has questioned the Leeds hierarchy for decisions made in the past, which have potentially come back to bite them.
An example of this was Ferdinand’s bafflement at Raphinha’s Leeds departure, even though it was always bound to happen.
But the Whites faithful might see irony in this after his exit from Elland Road, as the pundit has now made a strange claim.
Sporting Clube de Portugal v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand tells Viktor Gyokeres to replicate his Leeds United exit
It seems like a cardinal sin for a Whites player to choose to join Man United after their long, historic rivalry.
But this didn’t faze Ferdinand one bit, as the defender took into account Leeds’ financial struggles, with Ferdinand shocked at Leeds’ management.
With his £30m move to Old Trafford secured, Ferdinand has now urged Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres to do the same and force an exit from his club.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Speaking to talkSPORT, Ferdinand explained how he managed to get the Whites to sell him to Man United in 2002, and his attitude from a young age took centre stage.
“I’d be causing him (Sporting President, Frederico Varandas) a nightmare to get out if we had an agreement. I did that at Leeds. I heard Man United were interested in me, and I knew Leeds had to let me go,” Ferdinand said.
“I went to Peter Ridsdale and said, ‘listen, I know you need to sell me, let’s not haggle over a couple of million here or there. Get a deal done’.
“I was there for hours waiting, and he ended up getting the deal done.”
READ MORE: Daniel Farke holds brutal private conversation at Leeds United, ‘he does not lie’
Gyokeres could have been a Leeds United player
With Ferdinand’s actions considered, he might have just worsened his relationship with the Leeds fanbase.
Even though Ferdinand is enjoying Leeds’ rise again, his legacy at the club has been severely tarnished.
Someone the fanbase now won’t want joining Man United is Gyokeres, and the Whites missed a trick a long time ago with the big Swedish striker.
Back playing for Coventry City, Gyokeres was a man in demand, and the Whites were seemingly at the forefront of this.
It was said that Leeds were leading the race for Gyokeres as the striker was on the move, but of course, a deal never came to fruition.
This was down to yet another mistake from Victor Orta who decided not to pay £11.7m for a striker now worth just under £60m.
It’s an extraordinary fact that Gyokeres could be the main man in Yorkshire today, and fans will hope he doesn’t take Ferdinand’s advice.