RIO TO GET DIRTY ON AMSTERDAM WEEKEND
From the Guardian:
"The world's most expensive defender might have been expected to make his entrance on a glitzier stage but Rio Ferdinand's first appearance in a Manchester United shirt could come in the unlikely setting of Bournemouth's Dean Court.
"A sell-out crowd of just over 10,000 awaits on Saturday after United's £29.3m defender persuaded his new employers to include him in a 15-man squad for the testimonial for the Cherries' director of football Mel Machin."
Fergie had told the press that Ferdinand would not play until Amsterdam where he may be given 45 minutes on the Friday night in the same week his England team mates would return to action.
Bournemouth's ex-Div manager is quoted:
"Rio phoned me up after completing his move to United and I'm delighted that he will be coming down with the rest of the United squad as was originally intended.
"The boy has had a lot on his mind, so I was surprised he was even thinking of us, but that's Rio for you. He said he really appreciated what I had done for him while he was on loan and really wanted to come back.
"I spoke to him about things last week and he was desperate to come down here and put in an appearance.
"He doesn't know if he will be playing yet but he has been included in the squad and is very keen to play for me. That speaks volumes for the boy."