Manchester United defender off to China?

Rio Ferdinand is said to be the next Englishman considering a switch to China, after it was reported Frank Lampard was in talks with Guihou Renhe, say the Guardian.

Ferdinand is ready to leave Old Trafford when his contract expires just over ten years since he joined for £30m from Leeds United. The 34 year old is refusing to confirm anything while boss, Sir Alex Ferguson had something to say on the matter.

The manager said:

“I think Rio can play for two or three more years. He is not as quick as he was but that is not a big issue for me. His experience is important and there is no reason he can’t stay on. I didn’t even realise his contract was up.”

Ferdinand himself, told Inside United:

“The best thing I can do is to look at it at Christmas, and then again in the summer, to see how I’m feeling and go from there. But hearing the manager say things like that definitely puts the spring back in your step.

“I’ll have a better idea of that in December or January time, when the games start coming thick and fast. That is when it really hits you and you know the hard work really has to start.

I’ll probably get a better gauge of where I’m at fitness-wise and the benefit of having the summer off then.”

An unnamed Chinese side has already reportedly offered Ferdinand a contract and despite earning up to £130,000 a week at United, the 81 times capped defender may well decide to jump ship to join former Chelsea stars, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba in China.