Rio Ferdinand struggled to make friends with rival players

Ferdinand returned to Old Trafford last weekend (©GettyImages).

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he struggled to make friends with rival players throughout his days at Old Trafford, reports The Sun. 

The now QPR defender - who returned to the Theatre of Dreams for the first time this past weekend - has admitted that he's been unable to 'open up' with players that he's in direct competition with. 

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Tension 

Ferdinand's revelations have come from his Autobiography, which is set to be released on October 2, where he's also revealed that he thought that the then Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and John Terry were 'fu**ing laughing' at him.

Terry, of course, is still at Chelsea, while Lampard is now plying his trade at Manchester City, and Ferdinand has insisted that his difficulties with rival players came from being obsessed with victory. 

He said: "I struggled to make friends on other teams.

"I know other people manage to maintain friendships with rivals. Wayne Rooney is good mates with Joe Hart.

"But I don’t seem to be able to open up and be real pally with people I’m in direct competition with.

"I felt the tension with England together. If Chelsea had won the league or beaten us in the Cup, I’d be sat with Frank Lampard or John Terry and thinking, ‘Are they f***ing laughing at me?’

"It’s something they probably never felt at all.

"Perhaps it’s the dark side of being obsessed with winning – you don’t want to show any weakness."

Immediate future

Manchester United and Chelsea have been huge rivals for many years, with the two clubs both competing for the Premier League title on a consistent basis over the last decade. 

However, the ex-Red Devils star now has different priorities at QPR, with the club looking to fight relegation this term after last year's promotion. The Hoops will be looking to bounce back this weekend after shipping four goals at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday. 

Ferdinand and Co. will return to Loftus Road this Saturday lunch time to take on Mark Hughes' inconsistent Stoke City team. Ferdinand's former team, Manchester United, meanwhile are also in action this weekend as they look to make it back-to-back victories with a win at the King Power stadium against Leicester City.