Rio Ferdinand has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson promised him titles would arrive at the start of his Manchester United career.

A big money signing from Leeds, Ferdinand won the Premier League in his first season in 2002/03, but went without from 2004 to 2006.

Speaking to The Big Interview, Ferdinand said: "I felt we were there or thereabouts but there were a few teams better then us.

"You've got to remember around that period, Roy Keane starts to leave, Becks leaves, the team starts transitioning then and changing and we have a period of Sir Alex Ferguson rebuilding another team.

"I remember him saying to me 'Rio, just be patient, I'll get it right, just stick withe me, I'm going to build the team around the likes of yourself and Ruud (van Nistelrooy)'."