Rio Ferdinand to leave Man U in summer as David Moyes calls time on his career

EPL: Prospects of veteran defender earning a new deal at Old Trafford are understood to be bleak as new manager increasingly turns to Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones

Rio Ferdinand is facing the final six months of his Manchester United career as he is set to become a high-profile victim of David Moyes’s rebuilding plans at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand, whose one-year contract expires in June, could make his first Premier League appearance for a month when United travel to  Hull City on Boxing Day lunchtime.

But with Moyes increasingly turning to Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones at centre-half, and at least four new signings expected to arrive at United next summer, Ferdinand’s prospects of earning a new deal are understood to be bleak.

Although Moyes has regularly turned to Ferdinand for United’s Champions League fixtures, the 35-year-old has made just one appearance in the league since the end of September, having started all five of the club’s opening Premier League games this season.

Despite the former England captain accepting media work with the BBC and BT Sport, it is understood that he is prepared to wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to continue his playing career.

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