Rio Ferdinand: 'We could see the veins on Ronaldo's b*******'

Posted Wednesday, September 17, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

RIO FERDINAND has revealed all about his time at Manchester United in his latest book - from rinsing Cristiano Ronaldo, running down Wayne Rooney and fighting fiery Sir Alex Ferguson.

RIO'S BOOK: The former United defender has opened up about his time at Old Trafford

The former England defender talks about the highs and lows during his 12 years at the club.

And even manages to squeeze in a story about Ronaldo's tight jeans.

When the flashy Portuguese star joined the ranks at Old Trafford as a young 18-year-old, Rio said the Real Madrid striker's fashion sense was a bit off key.

He said Ronaldo used to receive a bit of stick but it was all part of the "banter" that legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson used to love.

In his new autobiography #2Sides, he writes: “When Cristiano Ronaldo wore tight jeans we used to destroy him: 'We can see the veins in your b******s, what’s going on?’

"But he would laugh and say: 'You English guys don't know fashion, what are you talking about?'"

Rio revealed Wayne Rooney came under a lot of scrutiny too but in his case – for his hair.

Wayne joined United from Everton in a £30million move at the age of 18 and Rio said the lads were quick to jump in with the jokes.

"When Wayne Rooney thad his hair weave. We’d been teasing him him saying: ‘He looks like Bobby Charlton and he’s only 21’," Rio said.

"We'd be in the changing room fretting. 'Oh no what's going to happen with his hair? It's going to be everywhere.' "

HOTSHOT: Alex Ferguson made Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio claims

The 35-year-old, who talked very highly of Ferguson in his book, explained the moment when he APOLOGISED to Rio.

The QPR centre-back, who returned to Old Trafford in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of a new and improved United squad on Sunday, said Ferguson wanted Rio to take a bigger stand in the race row involving his brother Anton Ferdinand and Chelsea defender John Terry. Rio Ferdinand: 'We could see the veins on Ronaldo's b*******'

He explained that racism group Kick it Out tried to force him and his team to wear a "One Game, One Community" t-shirt.

Rio said: "There wasn't a chance of me wearing it.

"I wasn't willing to go through the charade of wearing their shirt. My parents probably wouldn't have spoken to me if I had."

Ferguson had encouraged Rio to wear the shirt and then fined him a week's wages for not joining his teammates in the stunt.

But Rio revealed the fiery manager later said sorry to him for forcing him against beliefs.

He said: "I was so impressed. My respect for him just went up even more.

"I think he respected me a little but more, because I had a belief and I'd stuck to it, even when there was so much pressure on it."

Rio Ferdinand: 'We could see the veins on Ronaldo's b*******'
BANTER: Rio said Wayne Rooney received a lot of stick from his teammates over his hair

He said the Scot also made Ronaldo into the player he is today.

He wrote: “When we played Benfica in Lisbon, he [Ronaldo] thought he had to prove to people in Portugal why he had come to United.

"The game became the “Ronaldo show". He was trying to show his skills and nothing was coming off.

"We lost and afterwards the manager absolutely destroyed him.

"Playing by yourself?” Who the hell do you think you are?” Ferguson was brave to do that.

"He knew Ronaldo at that time was the key to us winning anything. A lot of managers would have been scared taking him on. But Ferguson would go for anyone.”

He added: "We took Fergie for granted, but now I see he was a genius.

"He was a master of psychology, knew how to get the best out of every player and created an unstoppable winning mentality."