MANCHESTER, England - Rio Ferdinand brought his trophy-filled, 12-year stay at Manchester United to an end on Monday by announcing he would be leaving Old Trafford to continue his playing career. The 35-year-old Ferdinand, who became Englands most expensive player when he joined United from Leeds for 29.1 million pounds in 2002, has not been offered an extension to his contract that expires next month. He suggested, however, that his departure was on his own terms, saying in a statement: "I have thought long and hard over the last few months about my future, and after 12 fantastic years playing, for what I regard, as the best club in the world, I have decided the time is right for me to move on." A tall, elegant, ball-playing defender, Ferdinand made 454 appearances for United — his last coming in the 1-1 draw at Southampton on Sunday in the final match of the season. He had been marginalized by the club this season, making just 14 appearances. Ferdinand won six league titles, two League Cups, one Champions League and a Club World Cup with United and forged one of Premier Leagues great centre-back partnerships with Nemanja Vidic, who will also leave this summer to join Inter Milan. With left back Patrice Evra soon out of contract, too, whoever comes in as the full-time replacement for fired United manager David Moyes faces a huge task to rebuild the defence. Ferdinand has had injury problems in recent years — particularly with his back — and has been following a strict training regime to extend his career, but he signalled he is not ready to retire. "I am feeling fit and healthy, ready for a new challenge and looking forward to whatever the future holds for me," he added in the statement. While Vidic was afforded an emotional farewell at Old Trafford in his final home match, receiving a memento from club great Bobby Charlton before last weeks Premier League game against Hull and a rousing ovation from Uniteds fans, Ferdinand will leave without any ceremony. Sections of the British media reported Monday that Ferdinand was told in the dressing room after the Southampton match that he wouldnt be offered a new deal. "Circumstances didnt allow for me to say goodbye the way I would have liked," he added in the statement, "but Id like to take this opportunity to thank my teammates, staff, the club and the fans for an unbelievable 12 years that Ill never forget. Winning trophies I dreamed about as a kid came true at this great club." The low point of his spell at United undoubtedly came in 2003 when he was banned for eight months after being found guilty of missing a drugs test. 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Mike Smith stopped all three Lightning shootout shots. Brandon McMillan, Martin Erat and Mikkel Boedker scored for the Coyotes, who trailed eighth-place Dallas by one point in the Western Conference. Phoenix was coming off a 3-2 loss Saturday at Washington, a game which the Capitals had three unanswered third-period goals. "Were right in the hunt," Smith said. "Were in the thick of things, too, and every point matters right now. So I think you see a desperation from guys on the ice, lying down, blocking shots." Ondrej Palat got the Lightning even at 3-all with his second goal of the game, coming from the low slot with the Tampa Bay net empty and 37.2 seconds left in regulation. Palat also had an assist. "I thought we did a lot of things well tonight," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said. "Even though they got a late one on us, we found a way to get points, and thats the biggest thing about our season right now. We need points every night." Tampa Bay, 1-4-2 since the Olympic break ended, also got a goal from Tyler Johnson. After Erat scored following an errant defensive zone pass by Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman 2:13 into the third, Boedker put the Coyotes ahead 3-2 with a rebound goal at 7:48. Bishop ended up out of position when Hedmans pass on Erats goal took a bad bounce. "We were just way too lackadaisical," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said of Erats goal. "The third one, weve run that coverage a thousand times. Its a blown assignment. Those dont go in in midget hockey, let alone the NHLL.dddddddddddd Or they shouldnt, anyway." Palat gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead from in-close off a pass from Ryan Callahan with 52.3 seconds left in the second. Johnson scored his fourth short-handed goal and 20th overall this season to put the Lightning up 1-0 at 11:26 of the first. With Steven Stamkos off for hooking, the rookie went around stumbling defenceman Keith Yandle and put a backhand past Smith. After not having a short-handed goal last season, Tampa Bay has nine in 2013-14. The Lightning have a short-handed goal in three straight games and six of their past 15. McMillan tied it at 1 on a rebound goal 61 seconds into the second after Bishop stopped Yandles shot. Tampa Bay defenceman Sami Salo left after three shifts in the first period with a lower body injury. Stamkos was pointless in his third straight game since returning from a broken right shin that sidelined him for 45 games. "Its going to take him a little time to get back to normal," Cooper said. Stamkos played 23:31 and had two shots. NOTES: Boedker stopped a 13-game goal drought. ... The Lightning will unveil a statue of former captain Dave Andreychuk in a pregame ceremony April 5 before hosting Dallas. It will depict Andreychuk hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head after the Lightning won it in 2004. ... Phoenix C Martin Hanzal has resumed skating, but missed his fourth consecutive game with a lower body injury. He had a goal and three assists in the Coyotes 6-3 victory over Tampa Bay Nov. 16. ... Coyotes D David Schlemko (lower body injury) is returning to Phoenix for treatment. ... Coyotes D Brandon Gormley made his NHL debut. ... Vinny Prospal was at the game scouting for the New York Rangers. The forward announced his retirement following a 16-year NHL career in January. ' ' '