Gill cool on Rio boos

Man Utd have urged fans to show greater patience concerning Rio Ferdinand.

The England international has been jeered by United fans during the club's opening two pre-season friendlies due to his failure to sign a new deal.

Ferdinand was booed at both Clyde and Peterborough, with Red Devils supporters calling the centre half 'greedy'.

The former Leeds United stopper has been offered a contract worth £100,000 a week but is stalling on putting pen-to-paper.

United chief executive David Gill understands Ferdinand's decision to take his time before committing his long-term future to the club.

Gill is confident Ferdinand will prolong his stay at Old Trafford beyond 2007 and has called on fans to follow the club's lead in not making a major issue out of the impasse.

"I understand the fans want to know what is going on," Gill told the club's official website. "We will sit down when it has quietened down and I am sure we will sort something out.

"Rio has said he wants to stay, Alex obviously wants him to stay, the owners want him to stay and so do the board. In my experience, when you have all that, then things invariably work their way through and you get a resolution.

"It may be reflecting badly on Rio but not with me it isn't. It is a big commitment he is making. Yes, it is a lot of money by any stretch of the imagination but it is still a big commitment.

"I know people would snap your hands off if you are offered that kind of money but it does have to be right.

"Would we like it cleared up? Yes we would but I am not going to criticise a player and he won't criticise the club. We are just going through the process.

"It may look bad but I don't think it is. You have to be slightly more patient in these situations and then get it done."