Former England international Rio Ferdinand has opened up on the strange feelings he experienced when returning to face Leeds United after leaving the club.
Rio Ferdinand joined Leeds for a then British record transfer fee of £18 million as the Whites challenged for the Champions League under David O’Leary.
However, the former West Ham defender became public enemy number one at Elland Road when he left the club in 2002 to join arch-rivals Manchester United.
Ferdinand received a hostile reception when he returned to Leeds for the first time following his move, as Leeds got a small measure of revenge in a 1-0 win, thanks to a Harry Kewell header.
Now, Ferdinand has opened up on the strange feeling he experienced when returning to Leeds, as former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold prepares to return to face his former club with Real Madrid for the first time.
Leeds United Fans hold a banner directed at Rio Ferdinand
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand opens up on the experience of facing Leeds United
Speaking on the Rio Presents podcast, former Premier League defender Ferdinand explained why it is a particularly draining experience when you return to face a former club.
Alexander-Arnold will return to Anfield for the first time since leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid, and Ferdinand warned that it could be the most emotionally exhausting he will have as a player.
The former Manchester United defender said: “It will be on a level he’s never felt before.
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“Because whenever I went back to my old clubs like Leeds or West Ham, all of the memories, all of the moments that you’ve had there, it’s all flying around the system. And it’s a massive, massive moment.
“And you know what? It’s probably a couple of the most drained moments of my career mentally and physically. When you finish those games, you sit there and you go, and you go, why do I feel like this?”
Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United and Mark Viduka of Leeds.
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
How many times did Rio Ferdinand face Leeds United after he left?
Ferdinand quickly became a favourite at Leeds, with his brilliant Champions League header against Deportivo La Coruna one of the highlights of his time at the club.
However, all of that goodwill quickly evaporated when he made his controversial move to Old Trafford, as the Leeds fans turned on their former hero.
Given his words above, Ferdinand will be relieved that he only faced Leeds three times after his departure from the club, as Leeds drifted towards relegation due to the financial turmoil brought on under Peter Ridsdale’s stewardship.
Played Won Drawn Lost
3 2 0 1
Rio Ferdinand vs Leeds after leaving for Man Utd
According to TransferMarkt, Ferdinand faced Leeds three times, winning twice and losing once, missing the 1-1 draw at Elland Road in the 2003/04 season due to his suspension for a missed drug test.
Ferdinand also missed Leeds’ famous FA Cup victory against the Red Devils through injury, when Jermaine Beckford scored the winner.