Rio wants the last laugh

Rio Ferdinand has an added motivation to sustain his success with United: a peaceful school run.

The United and England defender comes into contact with his own children’s schoolmates each morning, leaving him open to playground ribbing whenever the Reds have suffered a setback.

“When you're walking up the path to school, dropping your kids off, you don't want little kids laughing at you or making fun of you because you've been beaten by so-and-so,” Rio explained to ManUtd.com and Press Association. “But that's what happens if you lose games or get knocked out of competitions.

“Young kids can be unforgiving. There's nothing in their minds that goes: 'he plays football, leave him alone'. If anything, they're even worse for it. But there's still a little kid inside of me who has pride and an ego and wants to make sure I can walk up that path and nobody can say anything to me because we've won.

“As soon as that feeling goes it's time to pack up my boots.”