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Rio Ferdinand reveals he tried to persuade Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Jermain Defoe for Manchester United - as ex-Tottenham striker admits he would have 'loved' to have joined Red Devils to take his game to the 'next level'

Rio Ferdinand has revealed he tried to persuade Sir Alex Ferguson to sign striker Jermaine Defoe for Manchester United.

The former Tottenham and Sunderland striker Defoe, who recently announced his retirement, always seemed to get linked with a switch to Old Trafford but it just never materialised.

Defoe even admitted that he would have loved to have played for United as he would have taken his game to another level.

Defoe (pictured) even admitted that he would have loved to have played for Man United

'I had quite a few conversations with Sir Alex Ferguson during our time at United and he used to go who is the hardest player to play against,' Ferdinand revealed on his Vibe with Five Podcast.