Rio Ferdinand Criticises Sir Alex Ferguson over Manchester United Treatment

Former England skipper Rio Ferdinand has spoken out about his relationship with former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, saying it "upset him" when the coach didn't appoint him as club captain, making him wonder if he was appreciated by the legendary figure. 

The decorated former Red Devils defender told CNBC (h/t Hamish Mackay of the Mirror) he believed the icon rarely gave him the credit he deserved, but Ferguson revealed to him why this was the case after both men retired:

"

Ferguson was very much on your case at all times. He was very much about personalities and working out you as a person.

I used to feel I was never given enough credit when I was playing under him - me and [Nemanja] Vidic used to talk about it quite a lot. 

It wasn't until I retired and I spoke to him that he said to me: 'With your personality, If I'd given you too much credit you might have got carried away.'

"

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Ferdinand won 11 major honours in 12 years at United, per Mackay, lifting the Champions League trophy with Ryan Giggs after beating Chelsea in the 2008 final in Moscow. 

Now a pundit, Ferdinand also highlighted his discourse after learning Gary Neville had been chosen ahead of him to captain the team, as cited by Mackay:

"

Yeah. I'd be lying if I said it didn't [get upset when Neville was appointed captain]. 

Sometimes there are situations during your career where you think: 'Am I getting the credit I deserve?' 

But at the same time that is one of the things that maybe pushed me on year in year out, to keep improving, to sustain that level for all those years.

"

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Ferdinand recently took to social media to respond to Ferguson after the Scotsman claimed in his recent autobiography (h/t Mark Critchley of the Independent) he only managed four world-class players during his time at United: Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ferdinand was perplexed by his own omission, with many considering him to be the best centre-back of his generation, responding to Fergie, per Critchley: "Where was mine among a few other names boss!"

Ferguson was the hardest task master in England during his long tenure at Old Trafford, and it is not surprising he refused to massage the egos of his multi-millionaire players.

His handling of their talent was unique, and he got the best from their personalities on an annual basis. 

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Ferdinand was indeed a world-class player and was the cornerstone of Ferguson's success for a decade. His control of the back four allowed Nemanja Vidic to be the destroyer of the side, making them one of the most perfect defensive pairings the Premier League has ever seen.

Despite Ferdinand's grievance over Neville's appointment, the decision was the correct one, with the right-back being a disciple of Fergie from a young age and United's core dressing-room leader and voice. 

It is arguable he should have been made skipper when the armband was handed to Vidic, but Ferguson never saw fit to make him club captain on a permanent basis, despite his incredible talent.