Rio would go for free

JOHN MAGNIER and JP McManus were left red-faced after demanding to know why Rio Ferdinand was still being paid by Manchester United.

The Irish millionaires are cranking up their attack on Reds boss Alex Ferguson by asking 63 questions about business dealings at Old Trafford.

One of the inquiries concerned England defender Ferdinand and why he is still picking up £70,000 a week despite serving an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.

As well as Fergie’s pledge to stand by his player, there is another simple explanation — if Ferdinand’s wages were stopped he would be entitled to a free transfer.

Under FA rules, a player is entitled to his basic wage while under suspension.

If a club stops paying him, it is considered a termination of his contract.

So if Magnier and McManus were to take control of the club, they would be kicking out an asset which cost £30m.

A Manchester United insider told Sunsport: “It might seem to them that it is a good idea to stop Rio’s wages — but in practice it cannot be done.

“The club is obliged to pay Rio Ferdinand unless they want to get rid of him.”

Ferdinand will earn an astonishing £2.24m during his suspension.

And under-fire boss Fergie confirmed: “He will still be paid. And he will be training with the squad every day.

“We could have sent him off for a month’s holiday if we wanted but we are not going to do that at the moment.”