The £29m defender Rio Ferdinand (left) has long been thought to be one of the world's great centre-backs.

But could his long run at the top of his sport finally be over?

Rio, currently out of action with a calf injury, has had to stomach United boss Fergie questioning his place at next year's World Cup.

'He'll need to get his form right,' Fergie said, after Rio's mistakes in the Manchester derby and England's game against Ukraine.

Rio went on to look slow defending against Fernando Torres in Man United's recent defeat by Liverpool.

Could his days at Old Trafford now be numbered? Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has been linked to bringing Rio back to London if he is deemed surplus to requirements in Manchester.

Is all this the beginning of the end for the big man's career?