Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he felt a feeling of respect was missing following his exit from Old Trafford in 2014.
After 12 years at United, Ferdinand was told he would not be offered a contract extension at the end of the 2013/14 campaign, meaning he left the club on a free transfer. He was soon snapped up by QPR, joining the Londoners on a one-year deal in July 2014.
Ferdinand enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford, winning 14 major honours, including six Premier League titles. He established himself as one of England's greatest centre-backs over his United career, as well as forming a formidable defensive partnership with Nemanja Vidic.
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The former Leeds United man was left bitterly disappointed by the circumstances surrounding his exit, admitting that he thought the Reds showed him a "lack of respect" after Ed Woodward told him he would be being released just moments after the final game of the season, a 1-1 draw away to Southampton.
"I felt a lack of respect, that's what I felt," Ferdinand told Vibe with Five. "Someone who's been at the club 12, 13 years and had a successful period as it was, and they know you’ve been committed and the commitments been there... good times.
"The fans know there's been that type of connection. There were times dicky moments here and there but that's part of life; ups and downs, good times and bad times.
"But the bottom end of it, there's a respect element and it's mad because you still see some players leave clubs. Barcelona do it brilliantly, we saw West Ham with the way they did it with [Mark] Noble. It was beautiful and them moments are something to savour."
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