Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke says Rio Ferdinand was “colossal” for Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand parted ways with Manchester United this week

Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has praised Rio Ferdinand for his Old Trafford career and labelled the defender as “colossal.”

News broke on Monday evening that Ferdinand had not been offered an extension to his contract, which was due to expire in the summer. Ferdinand’s poor form and the emergence of Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling led the United board to act in the interest of youth.

Yorke, who played for United for four years between 1998 and 2002, believes that his departure doesn’t come as a surprise and that it is up to the aforementioned trio to seize their opportunity.

The former striker told Sky Sports News: “These players have to step up to the plate, the likes of Evans, Smalling and Jones. It’s a great opportunity but they would have learned from two of probably the greatest defenders to play in the Premier League.”

The Trinidad and Tobago born forward called it “the end of an era” with both Ferdinand and Vidic leaving and also backed the centre-back’s decision to continue playing rather than retire.

“Whatever he does he’s still got that star quality to perform at that level and it seems that he can still go on for another year, that’s why he hasn’t called time on his career just yet,” he insisted.

It remains unclear at the moment where Ferdinand will be plying his trade next season with rumours of the MLS and other Premier League clubs supposedly interested in his services.