£30m Rio will blossom into world's best, says Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON claims Rio Ferdinand will blossom into the best centre-half in the world now that he has finally become a Manchester United player.

Ferdinand signed a five-year contract with United after completing his British record £30million transfer from Leeds and Ferguson has no doubts he has bought a real talent.

Ferdinand is already regarded as one of the finest defenders in the Premiership following his star performances for England at the World Cup and Ferguson says he can only get better.

‘‘I think improvement is the vital organ here as far as I’m concerned,’’ said the United manager at Ferdinand’s unveiling at Old Trafford.

‘‘At 23 years of age, you know there’s great potential. What we hope and from what we know, we’re very confident he will mature here and develop into the best centre-half in the world.

‘‘I think his physical aspects, his ability on the ball are there for all to see and they’ve been there since he was a kid.

‘‘I think in the next three to four years we’re going to get great service from him. He will mature in that period where players get authority. Many players at 22 or 23 mature and gain knowledge that makes them outstanding players and that’s what will happen with Rio.’’

The deal, which could be worth as much as £33.3million depending on how successful United are over the next five years, has been one of the most protracted and controversial of recent years.

Eric Cantona, the last player to journey across the Pennines from Elland Road to Old Trafford in 1992, has never been forgiven by Leeds fans and Ferdinand knows he is likely to face a similar backlash.

That would disappoint him and he made a point of thanking the Leeds fans for their support during his 20 months at the club.

‘‘I’m not sure how they will react to me,’’ he admitted. ‘‘I like to think they will be nice, but you never know.

‘‘I took all those things on board when I came here and you have to be big enough to take it on the chin.

‘‘I would have liked the situation to have been resolved in a better way and I could go there and get the kind of reception I get when I go back to West Ham, but who knows? We’ll have to wait and see.

‘‘I made a decision to come here as I thought it was a step on the way to improving me as a player. It was a bold step, but something I’m pleased to be doing. It wasn’t an easy decision. I spoke to my family about loyalty.

‘‘But at the end of the day it’s a short career and opportunities like this don’t come along all the time.

‘‘I don’t want to sit at the end of my career and I think I could have done this and that.’’

Ferdinand, who will probably make his United debut against Ajax in the Amsterdam Tournament on August 2, is unconcerned about being tagged as the most expensive player in Britain and the world’s costliest defender.

He says he was burdened with similar labels when he joined Leeds from West Ham for a then record £18million and he did not let it affect him.

‘‘I was in a similar position when I left West Ham to go to Leeds,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t really think about the price tag at all. This is probably the only day I will talk about it.

‘‘I have to cope with every hurdle put in front of me. I’ve been in a similar situation before at Leeds, although it’s a different kettle of fish because Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world.

‘‘I’m not going to deny it’s not going to be tough, but these situations are put in front of you and hopefully I will thrive.’’