Rio Ferdinand spent 12 years at Manchester United playing with some of the best players in the world, but there are two former teammates he thought were ridiculously underrated.
After a then-British record transfer fee of £30 million, Rio Ferdinand signed for Manchester United from Leeds to become the world’s most expensive defender for the second time in his career.
Not only did Ferdinand go on to become one of the greatest centre-backs in United’s history, but he also made 455 appearances, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.
Ferdinand left United at the end of his contract in 2014 before signing for Queens Park Rangers, where he spent one season before hanging up his boots following an incredible playing career at the highest level.
Rio Ferdinand and Ji-sung Park training
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
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Rio Ferdinand believes Ji-sung Park and Michael Carrick were underrated at Man Utd
Ferdinand played with a list of incredible players during his time at Old Trafford.
Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney may have got most of the plaudits, but there is no denying that Sir Alex Ferguson had players who were just as important, even if they went under the radar.
Ferdinand, who formed a formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the heart of United’s defence, has spoken about two players who were ridiculously underrated at United.
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They include current United interim head coach Michael Carrick and Ji-sung Park.
When asked if there was anyone at United that didn’t get the appreciation they deserved, Ferdinand said on Rio Meets: “Two players.
“Michael Carrick was amazing. With the ball, left and right, he’d take the ball – touch, bang. Always available.
“Also defensively, he wasn’t like Fernandinho, who would slide, but he would stop the pass; nobody sees him defend, but I know.
“And also Park Ji-sung. Him, wow. I never saw someone run like this guy. To receive the ball, for the left-back and the right-back, when he was in front, these guys played better.
“Then, defending, he was an unbelievable player.”
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Rio Ferdinand compared Ji-sung Park to David Beckham
In a previous interview with United’s official podcast, Ferdinand recalled the overwhelming popularity of Park following a trip to Korea.
Ferdinand spoke about how shopping centres had to be shut down.
“I don’t know if you remember, but there were times when shopping malls actually closed because of Park Ji-sung,” Ferdinand said.
“Before visiting Korea, I had no idea how massive Park J-sung’s popularity was.”
He added: “After finishing training and returning to my hotel room, every few commercials on TV featured Park Ji-sung. In Korea, Park Ji-sung was like David Beckham.”
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