Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand hesitant over Old Trafford future depite likelihood of new offer

Ferdinand, who celebrated his 34th birthday last Wednesday, has yet to open talks with Manchester United over an extension to his deal.

With the former England captain having overcome a lengthy battle against a persistent back injury in recent months, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted at Ferdinand being offered a new contract by insisting that the £30 million signing from Leeds United can play into his late thirties.

But despite Ferguson’s positive assessment of Ferdinand’s recent form and fitness, the player himself admits he will begin to consider his future next month before making a final decision at the end of the season.

“It is always good to hear the manager say things like that,” Ferdinand told Inside United. “But you have to take every week and month as it comes. The best thing I can do is to look at it at Christmas, and then again in the summer, to see how I’m feeling and go from there.

“But hearing the manager say things like that definitely puts the spring back in your step.”