Soccer: United start talks on Rio Ferdinand deal

Manchester United have begun talks with Rio Ferdinand about a new contract for the England soccer defender, who is serving an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.

Ferdinand signed a five-year deal with United when he became the world's most expensive defender for the second time in a £30 million ($85.83 million) move from Leeds United in 2002.

He was banned after missing a routine drugs test in September and will not return to action until September 2004, having started the suspension in January.