Football: Ferdinand lifts the lid on a turbulent season at Old Trafford

Bickering and fights were commonplace in the Manchester United changing room towards the end of David Moyes' short-lived reign as manager.

Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand, who has also worn the captain's armband several times, will leave the club after 12 trophy-laden years when his contract expires next month.

Yesterday, he lifted the lid on what transpired behind closed doors over a turbulent season at Old Trafford that ultimately cost Alex Ferguson's handpicked successor his job.

The 35-year-old, who is in town for the SG Game On! Ultimate Selfie Challenge organised by SingTel and Samsung, was speaking to The New Paper in a one-on-one interview at the Marina Bay Sands yesterday.

"You had players who won loads of stuff together, so when you don't win, there's frustration," he said.

"You start looking for answers, you start asking questions, pointing at people, pointing at yourself.

"There's going to be arguments, there's going to be tension - that's what happens in a squad full of people that want to win.

"It doesn't get out much and people (outside) don't get information, but there have always been arguments and there have always been fights.

"In fact, I've never been in a squad at Man United where there hasn't been arguments, whether we were winning or losing. If there wasn't any arguing or fighting, that's when you have to start worrying."

Moyes lasted just 10 months as United manager as the 20-time champions of England finished an unprecedented seventh in the Premier League and failed to qualify for European football next season.

Some pundits and media outlets suggested that the influence of unhappy senior players like Ferdinand led to Moyes' downfall.

But the former England international brushed aside such talk.

UNDER SCRUTINY

"The press are looking for something, looking for answers as to why we were in a position we were in, and that's normal," he said coolly.

"It's what you expect nowadays, people are going to point the finger and blame someone.

"We, as players, as well as the manager at the time, take full responsibility for what happened last season.

"You've just got to get on with it, dust yourself down and move on, and hopefully the club can do just that."

Ferdinand believes a big-name signing is necessary to lift spirits at the club - like the arrival of Robin van Persie did at the start of their title-winning campaign in 2012-2013.

He disagrees with popular opinion, though, insisting there is no need for a major facelift.

He has endorsed Louis van Gaal, who is likely to be named the new United manager soon, and believes the Dutchman's experience at top clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona would serve him well at Old Trafford.

"We won the league by 11 points the season before last, and there's not been a big turnaround of players since then," said Ferdinand.

"We fell down the table a lot, but I still believe in the players who won the league two years ago.

"I just think we need to come around and regroup, and push on again.

"Hopefully, the new manager who comes in can galvanise the squad, give them back the belief and start winning some games.

"If the confidence is rebuilt into the squad, both individually and collectively, then we've got a good chance.

NO OVERHAUL NEEDED

"If you change eight players or whatever, then there's a lottery about whether they can mould together and win, so I don't think it's the right way."

Ferdinand has had a busy three days in Singapore. On Thursday, along with Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, he learnt Singlish, sampled hawker fare and practised taiji.

The two shared selfies of their exploits on Twitter, and encouraged their fans to retweet them. Ferdinand came out tops.

Yesterday, the two stars made a surprise visit to the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) Tanglin School and took part in a mini-football match.

"It's been great," Rio said, of his Singapore experience. "I have to thank SingTel and Samsung for giving me the opportunity to go around to different, great parts of the city.

"I love seeing the culture, tasting food and stuff. The only thing I didn't get to do was music - I wanted to see and hear a bit of local music but maybe next time I can do that.

"I love it here, man."

This article was published on May 17 in The New Paper.

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