Manchester United’s legend Rio Ferdinand impressed by Manchester United’s player on loan, urged the club to recall him.
Rio Ferdinand has once again taken aim at Manchester United’s transfer strategy, expressing his frustration over what he perceives as a costly blunder. The former defender is bewildered by the club’s decision to loan out a proven attacking talent while placing their faith in Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund—two forwards who have yet to demonstrate consistent goal-scoring prowess.
United’s attacking struggles this season have been apparent, with Højlund showing flashes of brilliance but struggling for consistency. Zirkzee, brought in to bolster the frontline, has also failed to deliver, leaving the team short on firepower. Meanwhile, the player United sent out on loan has been excelling elsewhere, delivering standout performances and proving he could have been a valuable asset at Old Trafford.
Never one to shy away from bold opinions, Ferdinand did not mince words on his Vibe with Five podcast, calling the decision one of the worst in football history. He urged United to recall the player immediately, expressing disbelief at the club’s lack of foresight. His frustration has resonated with fans, who have taken to social media to voice their own criticism of the club’s handling of the situation. Many believe that the team’s current attacking woes could have been avoided had the loaned-out player been given a fair chance.
With mounting pressure on United’s hierarchy, the club may be forced to rethink its squad management before the situation worsens. If corrective measures aren’t taken soon, they risk further damaging their season, all while the player they let go continues to shine elsewhere.
Ferdinand has also raised concerns over the potential departure of Scott McTominay, who is reportedly close to a £25 million transfer to Serie A side Napoli. The United legend questioned the logic behind selling a player with McTominay’s experience and long-standing association with the club, emphasizing that he could still offer valuable contributions to the squad.
Beyond individual transfers, Ferdinand has taken issue with the club’s reliance on certain players, arguing that Zirkzee and Højlund may not be suited to manager Ruben Amorim’s tactical setup. He also pointed to other squad members, including Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, suggesting they lack the physical attributes necessary for Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system. This tactical mismatch, according to Ferdinand, has played a major role in United’s struggles, with the team currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
His criticism highlights growing concerns over United’s direction, as poor strategic decisions continue to hinder their progress.
