Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand approached Arsene Wenger to sign him for Arsenal in 2014

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he did reach out to Arsene Wenger to sign him for Arsenal in 2014. The 37-year-old was allowed to leave Old Trafford as a free agent a year after Sir Alex Ferguson retired as the Red Devils manager.

Louis van Gaal, who was sacked earlier in May replacing David Moyes as United manager in the summer of 2014, decided against handing the former England international a new contract. This saw him leave the 20-time English champions as a free agent and join Queens Park Rangers on a one-year deal.

Before signing for the Hoops, Ferdinand approached Wenger and urged the Frenchman to sign him for the north London club. However, the Gunners manager decided against signing the former United centre-back, which saw him make a switch to Loftus Road.

"I did reach out to Mr Wenger!!" Ferdinand replied to a question directed toward him on Twitter.

Ferdinand spent one season at QPR and retired from international football after the end of the 2014/15 season. He enjoyed a successful spell at United, winning six Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Fifa Club World Cup and three League Cups.

The former defender's partner Nemanja Vidic and the duo were instrumental in the heart of United's back four under the guidance of Ferguson. The Serbian also left the Red Devils as a free agent in 2014.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand says he was surprised after West Ham United winger Michail Antonio was included in Sam Allardyce's first England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia.

"Picking the squad is not the hard part...its getting them to play in a way that Sam wants while getting results thats the hard part," the Old Trafford favourite tweeted.

"Antonio is the suprise inclusion also! What an achievement for him. Another great story - from non league to the England squad. #motivation."