Rio Ferdinand drops Manchester United hint

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) –

Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand during a friendly football match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg on August 8, 2012. Ferdinand indicated Monday he wants to sign another contract with English champions Manchester United.

Rio Ferdinand indicated Monday he wants to sign another contract with English champions Manchester United.

The 34-year-old centre-back collected his sixth Premier League winners’ medal on Sunday after scoring the goal that secured a 2-1 victory over Swansea at Old Trafford in United manager Alex Ferguson’s final home game in charge before retirement.

Ferdinand’s goal, his first in over five years, came with his current contract about to expire but he said Monday he wanted to stay at Old Trafford.

“Manchester United has a bright future,” Ferdinand told MUTV on Monday.

“The manager has left the club in great health and we are looking forward.

“We have a great number of good young players who are eager to win things and be successful and work hard.

“That is what the manager has instilled in these players. The work ethic has to continue if we are going to be successful. I would like to be part of that,” said Ferdinand, who will find out on Thursday if he has been included in England manager Roy Hodgson’s squad for the friendly internationals against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.