United legend unlikely to sign new TV deal, seemingly on cusp of exciting new American adventure – report

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could leave TNT Sports at the end of the season.

The former defender played 455 times for United during 12 seasons.

He enjoyed massive success, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.

The stylish defender left the club in 2014 before playing one season at Queen’s Park Rangers before retirement.

Since then, he has made quite a successful career for himself in punditry and one of his more famous roles for British TV viewers has been on TNT Sports’ coverage of the Premier League and Champions League.

The Daily Mail have thrown doubt over the 46 year old’s future at the company, however.

The outlet reports that “insiders at TNT Sports are growing increasingly concerned that Rio Ferdinand will be heading to pastures new at the end of the season.”

Ferdinand has been a part of the organisation since 2015 and is viewed as “an integral part” of their coverage.

Fears that he will leave have been exacerbated by the fact that he has had a new contract offer on the table for months but is yet to put pen to paper on any new deal.

Moreover, “news that the former England and Manchester United captain’s management company, New Era, has signed a partnership with Beverly Hills-based talent agency giants WME – broken by the Hollywood reporter – is known to have raised eyebrows at TNT HQ.”

A switch to the United States could appeal to Ferdinand as the country will host the next World Cup in 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico.

In that context, “WME are focussing on securing opportunities in the US for the West Ham academy product both on and off the screen.”

Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images

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