Ask any Manchester United fan, Rio Ferdinand is a club legend. The centre-back was undoubtedly one of the most talented defenders of his generation and his transfer remains one the club's best pieces of business in decades.

But the controversial switch from Leeds United was not an easy one to push through. With the two clubs sharing a bitter rivalry across the years, the Elland Road outfit were initially uneasy about negotiating with United for the former West Ham defender.

Then-Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale dug his heels in and played hardball and at times it looked as though United would miss out on the talented centre-back. READ MORE: I've played with Paul Scholes and Ronaldinho...

now I'm helping Manchester United's future stars The Yorkshire side had been fighting among the upper echelons of the Premier League with a talented side featuring the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Alan Smith, and had become one of the division's strongest sides off the back of increased spending by Ridsdale.

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Manchester Alan Smith Rio Ferdinand Mark Viduka David Oleary Terry Venables Harry Kewell Peter Ridsdale stars reports sports Fighting man Citi Parke

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'We’ve got intel they’re looking to destroy your place' - why police phoned Man United legend Rio Ferdinand after move from Leeds

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