Manchester United - Rio Ferdinand

Armed with elegance, pace and an astute ability to read the game, Rio Ferdinand is one of the finest defenders in world football.

The Peckham-born star burst onto the Premiership scene with West Ham United under the guidance of Harry Redknapp before being snapped up by Leeds United for £18million in November 2000.

The 2002 World Cup provided Rio with the stage to make the transformation from budding talent to accomplished defender, and his performances in Japan convinced Sir Alex to part with £30million.

Although initially hampered by injury, Rio found his feet towards the end of his first season, as United came back from the dead to overtake Arsenal and win a 15th league title.

In September 2003 disaster struck. The defender missed a routine drugs test and, despite appealing, was banned from football for eight months in January 2004.

Since returning from suspension, Rio has consistently justified his tag as a world-class defender. He's also chipped in with valuable goals, perhaps most dramatically with an injury-time winner against Liverpool in January 2006.

Although an increasingly potent threat from set-pieces, Rio’s main asset remains his leadership in defence, a skill that has made him a solid foundation for both United and England and seen him handed the captaincy for club and country on numerous occasions.

In May 2008, Ferdinand signed a new five-year contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2013. Six days later he went on to captain United to Champions League glory in Moscow. It was a fitting way to end a near flawless season for the centre-back.

His good form continued into the 2008/09 campaign, with Ferdinand playing a crucial role in United's record-breaking clean-sheet run. Certainly, without his consistent performances at the back, the Reds may not have gone on to win an 18th league title or reach a second successive European final. Sadly Sir Alex's men lost to Barcelona in Rome, although things may well have been different had Ferdinand been fully fit (a calf injury hampered Rio's preparations).

PFOFILE:Birthdate: 07 Nov 1978
Birthplace: Peckham, London
Position: Defender
Appearances: 318
Goals: 7
Joined United: 22 Jul 2002
United Debut: 27 Aug 2002 v Zalaegerszeg (H)
International England