Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand declares he was world's best centre back for four years and compared himself to rival stoppers

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Rio Ferdinand believes he was the world's best centre back for four years during his time at Manchester United. 

The former England captain was asked by BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey if he ever thought he was the best in the world. 

And Ferdinand declared he thought he was as good as the likes of John Terry and Sol Campbell during his heyday.

Rio Ferdinand believes he was the world's best centre back during his time at Man United

Ferdinand was asked by presenter Jake Humphrey (far left) if he ever thought he was the best

He said: 'Yeah, yeah I did. Probably in 2006, 2007, 2008 and maybe 2009... even a bit before that! 

'Nah I'm joking but that's all I strived for and I think other centre halves will say the same thing. 

'I looked around my dressing room and saw great centre halves and thought "I'm going to out-work you, do more than you, be better than you". 

'I took it as an embarrassment to myself if I wasn't playing as well as that centre half. Even in a game where you're playing against big players. John Terry at Chelsea, Sol Campbell at Arsenal... you're looking across the pitch thinking "right, I've got to play better than them!'

Ferdinand then jokingly tweeted: 'I forgot 2010 & 2011.' 

The debate over the Premier League's all-time best centre back has been on the agenda since Terry announced he was leaving Chelsea in the summer. 

Ferdinand, like Terry, was incredibly successful at club level. 

The 38-year-old won six Premier League titles, three League Cups and the Champions League during his 12-year spell at Old Trafford.  

Ferdinand won six Premier League titles during his time as a Manchester United defender

The debate started after John Terry announced he was leaving Chelsea in the summer