Manager says ex-England defender decided to goFerdinand joined QPR on a free transfer in July

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Louis van Gaal thinks Manchester United should have no regrets about releasing Rio Ferdinand earlier this summer.

The QPR defender Ferdinand will return to Old Trafford on Sunday for the first time since he was released by United in May.

Having also allowed Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra to leave the club, United have been left with a huge lack of experience in defence.

Van Gaal was not in charge when the club decided against renewing Ferdinand’s contract, but had he been at the helm, he would have gone down the same route.

When asked whether United should have kept Ferdinand, who spent 12 years at Old Trafford, Van Gaal said: “No. There is a time to stay and a time to go and Rio decided to go.

“He was a great player, maybe he is still a great player but there is always a time for a player to go from a club.”

Ferdinand signed a one-year contract with QPR in July. During his time at United, the centre-back won six Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League.