Manchester United Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand has recalled being turned down by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Upon leaving Old Trafford, the centre-back returned to London by signing for Queens Park Rangers, where he spent a solitary season before retiring.

However, Ferdinand's initial desire was to head to the north of the capital and play under another legendary boss in Wenger after 11 years of having Sir Alex Ferguson as his manager.

Ferdinand told his Youtube: "The maddest thing is I thought about Arsenal, as well.

"At the end of my career when I was leaving Man United, I saw Arsene Wenger in a hotel."

Ferdinand believed his winning mentality and experience could have lend itself well to the Gunners squad.

"I said: 'Arsene, listen, I am leaving Man United and if you want, I will come and try and help the dressing room etc. because I think you need help in that department.'

"I will obviously play but, more importantly, I will come for the culture.

"He didn't take me up on the offer and he was right because my performances at QPR weren't up to the levels.

"But in the changing room, I believe I could have helped him, because that is where a lot of the culture derives from."