Don't rush me pleads Rio over contract talks

England international central defender Rio Ferdinand, seen here 01 May 2005, asked for more time over his ongoing contract talks with Manchester United

England international central defender Rio Ferdinand asked for more time over his ongoing contract talks with Manchester United.

The 26-year-old claimed he was being given just a month to clear up the dispute with United when other players were allowed 18 months to renegotiate.

Ferdinand, who has been the subject of several unsavoury stories this week including being headbutted in a Stockholm nightclub, added he felt he was being lined-up for the exit.

The former West Ham United and Leeds United star has been rumoured to be demanding 150,000 pounds a week while the new United owner Malcolm Glazer is believed to be keen to sell him and cash in on a massive transfer fee.

"Negotiations. Some people take two years; some people take 18 months; some people take a year," he told Granada television.

"Mine has been going now a month. It's just negotiations and fingers crossed we can keep negotiating and then we will get an agreement.

"I'm not saying it will take two years. What I'm saying is that people take 18 months to sign a contract. I've been given a month and my head is on the chopping board.

"It takes time and two people have got to come to a final agreement," added Ferdinand, who was in tears following United's FA Cup final penalty shootout loss to Arsenal earlier this month.

Ferdinand said he thought the take-over of the club by Glazer was at the root of the delay in the talks.

"That has slowed things down a bit because that is more important than me.

"That's the club and we have to get that sorted out as well."

However, Ferdinand's claims don't appear to tally with what United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said on April 19.

"The best thing Rio can do is sign his contract and put the matter to bed,'' said Ferguson, who is set for a relatively paltry 26million pounds to spend on new players in the close season.

"He says he wants to sign for the club and he has an opportunity to do just that.

"We have offered him a good deal and hopefully something can be done in the next few days."