David Moyes has dismissed reports claiming Rio Ferdinand is set to retire as “complete nonsense,” after it was revealed the defender would not be going on Manchester United’s upcoming warm-weather training camp.
Reports on Tuesday suggested Ferdinand had not been included in United’s trip to Dubai and would consequently announce his retirement.
However, Moyes appeared to be at a loss as to where the rumours had come from and presented a defiant denial.
“I can only tell you whatever was written today was a load of rubbish,” Moyes told reporters in his press conference ahead of United’s Premier League clash with Arsenal on Wednesday.
“[It is] complete nonsense.”
Arsenal face Liverpool and Chelsea travel to Manchester City this weekend as the title rivals repeat recent league fixtures in the FA Cup fifth round.
United, knocked out in the third round by Swansea, do not return to action until February 22 at Crystal Palace, giving them the chance to take a trip abroad.
With United’s prospects of qualifying for the Champions League by finishing in the Premier League's top four looking increasingly bleak, Moyes appears to be focusing on a deep run in Europe.
“We’ve got a chance to have a few days. We’ll see,” he added. “We’ll go and try and have a few days to get ready. We’ve got a big Champions League game coming up in a week’s time.
