Rio Ferdinand with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at training.

Rio Ferdinand pays a visit to training

Thursday 21 February 2019 14:00

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reds welcomed a special guest to training on Thursday morning.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand paid a visit to the Aon Training Complex to see the lads continue the preparations for Sunday's showdown against Liverpool at Old Trafford. 

Our former no.5 caught up with his old team-mate Solskjaer and first-team coach Mike Phelan, whom Rio worked under during his time at the club during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign. 

Rio in discussion with his former coach Mike Phelan.

The squad will surely have been inspired by Rio's visit ahead of one of the biggest games in our season - and a team Rio has plenty of experience of playing against. 

Ferdinand faced Liverpool 21 times during his 12 years at United and scored more goals against them (two) than any other opponent. 

Rio, who also scored at Anfield in a 2-1 win for his old club Leeds United in 2001, netted a dramatic 90th-minute winner to give United a 1-0 victory over the Merseysiders in January 2006. 

He was also on target on Liverpool's next visit to Old Trafford in the league, nine months later, when adding to a Paul Scholes opener in a 2-0 triumph. 

Ferdinand's incredible goals against Liverpool Video

Ferdinand's incredible goals against Liverpool

Rio set a new benchmark for defenders during his time as a Red, and memorably scored twice against Liverpool...

Rio also revealed on Twitter later on Thursday that he had taken his children to Old Trafford to have a look at the Munich Tunnel. 

United will be looking to build on our impressive start under Solskjaer, and avenge December's defeat at Anfield, when Jurgen Klopp's men provide the opposition at the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday afternoon. 

Kick-off is at 14:05 GMT and MUTV subscribers will be able to watch live build-up to the big game from 12:30 GMT. 

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