Sign your contract Rio - Fergie

Alex Ferguson has reiterated his demand for Rio Ferdinand to sign his £100,000-a-week contract and prevent Manchester United’s pre-season being seriously destabilised.

The United boss first turned on his record signing at the back end of last season after it emerged Ferdinand had spent an evening with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon.

At that point, Ferguson expected the £29.1m capture from Leeds to commit his future to the Red Devils prior to the FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal.

Instead, the matter has dragged on throughout the summer, with the 27-year-old apparently holding out for an extra £20,000-a-week.

The stance has not gone down well with the club’s supporters, who have not forgotten how United stood by the England international throughout his eight-month ban for failing to take a drugs test.

Chief executive David Gill has already cleared Ferdinand of any allegation of disloyalty but, with his club’s pre-season campaign due to start at Clyde on Saturday, Ferguson has called on the imposing central defender to end the impasse.

“We want Rio to sign now because it will put the whole matter to rest,” said Ferguson.

“It has created speculation and an unnecessary agenda for the club we don’t want.

“Rio has received a fantastic offer and I think there is going to be another meeting between his agent and David Gill, which I hope will happen soon.

“We want to be ready for the Champions League qualifier next month with everyone currently at the club remaining here. That can be solidified by Rio signing his contract and I hope he does.”