Rio Ferdinand 'in talks over Manchester United sporting director role'

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand is reportedly in the frame to return his former club in a sporting director capacity.

The Red Devils are desperately attempting to make an appointment for the newly-created position in time for the summer transfer window.

A number of ex-United players have already been linked with the job, including the likes of Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Eric Cantona, and the Daily Mail suggests that Ferdinand has also been contacted by vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

United's American owners are said to have been keen to get Ferdinand on board ever since he retired from playing four years ago and went into punditry, but personal circumstances have made that unworkable until now.

The report suggests that the 40-year-old has been identified by Woodward as a strong candidate given his United history and subsequent business experience.

Ferdinand spent 12 years at Old Trafford before leaving for Queens Park Rangers in 2014, making more than 450 appearances for United across that period of sustained success.