Redknapp rubbishes Rio reports

The England international - who has made more than 200 league appearances for the Red Devils since arriving from Leeds in 2002 - has endured a frustrating start to the season, blighted by injuries and costly mistakes for both club and country.

Old Trafford supremo Sir Alex Ferguson recently revealed that the former West Ham apprentice will have to bounce back quickly if he is to regain his place in the side ahead of Jonny Evans and Wes Brown and cement his place in Fabio Capello's starting XI ahead of next summer's World Cup finals.

And as a result, reports have surfaced linking the central-defender - who has 76 caps for England - with a return to London and reunion with Redknapp, who handed the stopper his Premier League debut with the Hammers in 1996.

However, the White Hart Lane chief has insisted that speculation tipping Ferdinand to join Tottenham is nonsense.

"There's no chance of him leaving there if he has any sense," he said.

"Unless someone knows something I don't know, he won't be coming here.

"I speak to him and send him messages. For me he's still the best centre-half in the world, he's that good. Everyone has a blip."