‘There were 10-15 people in balaclavas and hoodies’ ~ Rio Ferdinand on how Man United fans pressured him into signing new contract

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• Rio was due to sign a new deal in 2005 but negotiations were dragging on.
• United fans were willing to have none of it and took matters into their own hands.

Rio Ferdinand explained on his FIVE YouTube channel: “I was in my house one day and all of a sudden the bell rings. And someone put their hand over, so I couldn’t see the actual camera, couldn’t see who was on it.

“So I thought, ‘Who’s this cheeky rat? Let me go outside and have a row – whatever it is – don’t take liberties coming to my house.’

“So I jumped on the wall next to my gate, looked over the gate and there’s about ten, 15 people there – guys with balaclavas and hoodies on.

I’m thinking, ‘What, they’ve come to rob my house?’ And then, luckily, one of them shouted, ‘Just sign the contract!'”

The former Manchester United defender added: “I got a bit of confidence thinking, ‘They’re not going to rob my house, it’s just about the football’.
“I said, ‘What you coming to my house for? If I followed your missus home and sat outside your house and waited outside with all my mates, would you be happy?’

“No, you wouldn’t. Don’t come to my house – you don’t go to Becks’ [David Beckham’s] house or Roy Keane’s house, but you’re coming here? What’s wrong with you?”

Despite the drama, Rio ended up signing a new deal with the Red Devils – spending over a decade at the club!