Rumour: Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on his way to the MLS?

Having just welcomed Juan Mata, in what is now a club record deal believed to be worth £37m, reports from Manchester reveal that Rio Ferdinand might just be on his way out of Manchester at the end of the season. Up until a few years ago, Rio held the record for the most expensive club signing of all-time. But it has since been broken by Berbatov and now Mata.

The 35-year-old former England center back hasn’t featured prominently in David Moyes’s plans for this campaign and has played just seven Premier League games so far. And it looks as though, he is seeking a move elsewhere to get some regular game time, at the twilight of his career, so that he can finish with a bang.

Truth be told, Rio has looked a shadow of his former self for the past 18 months as it seems as though age is finally catching up. But, it has become apparent that he wants to continue playing and, since it is unlikely that United are going to renew his contract which expires at the end of the season, Rio is currently considering his options.

Reports from Manchester are that Rio has already been telling those close to him that he sees his career continuing in USA. With his brand at an all-time high, there are certainly plenty of clubs to choose from, leading the bunch is David Beckham’s former club LA Galaxy.

After 14 hugely successful years as a Red Devil, it looks as though, Rio is looking for a new challenge, in a new country and is looking at USA as his preferred destination. Whether it is the Galaxy or the club that David Beckham has bought, Miami, one thing looks clear, Rio Ferdinand will be not be in Manchester, beyond this summer.