Ferdinand concerned about Europe

Rio Ferdinand accepts Manchester United must start making an impact in Europe otherwise one of his major reasons for moving to Old Trafford will be stamped F for failure.

A Champions League semi-finalist from his time at Leeds, Ferdinand was expected to do even better when he crossed the bitter Pennine divide to join the Red Devils in a record £29.1 m (?43.37m) deal four years ago.

Since then though, United's performances in Europe have got steadily worse.

Ousted in the quarter-finals by Real Madrid during Ferdinand's first season, Sir Alex Ferguson's men went on to suffer successive last 16 exits before their humiliating group stage capitulation 12 months ago.

Now, as United return to the scene of last season's catastrophe and prepare to meet a Benfica side out to score another triumph at the expense of their 1968 final conquerors, Ferdinand believes it is time to deliver.

"I won't lie," said the 28-year-old.

"I joined Manchester United to win trophies, and part of that was winning European trophies. The Champions League is a great opportunity to showcase your talent and we have not managed to do that."