Rio Ferdinand has opened up on why he left Leeds United in 2002 and has explained the reasons behind his £30million switch to Manchester United.
The 43-year-old initially joined the Whites from West Ham United for what was a British transfer record and cemented himself as a mainstay in the side, featuring in 73 games across two seasons.
After the World Cup, Ferdinand became the world's most expensive defender with a switch to Old Trafford and helped Man United to win the Premier League in his first season.
He went on to lift five further top-flight titles, the Champions League and the League Cup twice and has since been included in the English Football Hall of Fame.
However, Ferdinand received plenty of criticism when he switched Yorkshire for Lancashire but believes he was 'justified' for making that move at the time.
He told the Vibe In FIVE: "In London I didn't know it was a big rivalry. But then I signed Manchester United and I went there for the right reasons, just to win trophies and it was as simple as that.
"I was justified in doing that and Leeds needed the money, so really they should be thanking me for leaving or else they go under and they take that £30million.
"But I went there, signed and within 24 hours I've got a phone call from Yorkshire Police saying we're advising you not to come back for the foreseeable future in case something might happen.
"I sold my house immediately, removal people had to do it. The first time I went back was around two years later to a Trevor Nelson TV party and I was fine."
Ferdinand also attended Leeds United's trip to Aston Villa earlier in the month as a pundit on BT Sport.
The game finished 3-3 and was a memorable occasion, but the former England international has revealed what it was like to be positioned just above the Leeds fans.
He added: "When I see Leeds fans on my travels they are cool and are a good laugh. You get the odd one, but I went to do the Aston Villa vs Leeds game a couple of weeks ago and where the box was overlooked the away fans.
"I reckon if they could've got through the glass to get me, it would've been over. They wanted to kill me. I was justified in why I left and if I didn't leave you probably wouldn't be in the Premier League now.
"It's almost like they're allowed to call you every name in the sun these fans, but then you might have a go back for banter, it's like they want to call the police."
