Ferguson issues new contract warning to Rio

ALEX FERGUSON has warned Rio Ferdinand that his contract stand-off is having a negative effect on Manchester United’s pre-season preparations.

Ferdinand’s agent Pini Zahavi revealed earlier this week that talks over a new Red Devils deal had stalled and there was no immediate prospect of them being resumed.

The England defender has rejected a £100,000-a-week offer to extend his contract, which still has two years to run, and is believed to be holding out for an extra £20,000.