The Telegraph carry claims for the Football Transfer Tavern punters that have caused some real concerns around the bar.

The paper suggests that Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could bow out of the game at the end of the season after David Moyes decided not to offer the 35-year-old a new deal at Old Trafford.

The England international is entering his final six months of his current contract and it now appears that his new boss has made a decision on his future.

This decision could result in the former Leeds United man hanging up his boots come May.

Ferdinand has been used sparingly under Moyes, having been left out of the squad for five of United’s last eight matches and was again missing from action during United’s away victory over Hull City yesterday.

Moyes started with Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans at the KC Stadium and the ex-Everton boss has increasingly been looking towards his younger players as the season has progressed. This has left Rio’s future at Old Trafford seemingly very bleak, with just one appearance in the league since the end of September.

As one punter points out, Ferdinand has been seen more working as a pundit for the BBC and BT Sport than featuring on the pitch for United of late and that could set the tone for the future.

If Rio decides to end his distinguished playing career, it is likely that he will be moving into the media fields on a permanent basis.