Rio Ferdinand names Arsenal star Man Utd should have signed in summer window
Rio Ferdinand claims Arsenal star Declan Rice would have been a transformative signing for Manchester United last summer.
The former West Ham star has shone for the Gunners this season following his £110m move to the Emirates Stadium. His contribution grew even further in midweek with his dramatic, winning goal against Luton.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils have struggled. Erik ten Hag ’s men have already sustained ten defeats in all competitions, with the Dutchman struggling for options in midfield with Sofyan Amrabat and Casemiro ’s form having slumped.
Asked what current Premier League player United should have signed instead in the summer, Ferdinand suggested Rice and claimed he would have instantly commanded respect at Old Trafford. Speaking on Vibe with Five, he said: “ Declan Rice, I said it before Man Utd he was the player I would’ve 100% gone and got.
“You could argue there’s midfielders with more ability than him but I would argue that it’s only Jude Bellingham that comes near him in terms of being able to get into a dressing room and trying to get control of that dressing room and get the respect of that dressing room on day two, three, four, straight away.
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“Not only with performances and standards and helping with the culture and the environment but the attitude and the likeability factor, the respect factor that he would get straight away. That’s why I thought he more than anybody it was important that Man United should’ve gone and got and they allowed Arsenal to go and get him.”
While Ferdinand believes that Rice would have been an excellent addition for the Red Devils, one of United’s current midfielders stepped up to the plate during Wednesday’s win over Chelsea. Scott McTominay scored two goals to see off the Blues 2-1 with his brace seeing him become the club’s Premier League top goalscorer for the season.
Declan Rice celebrates his winning goal against Luton (Getty Images)Is Declan Rice the best signing in the Premier League this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Speaking post-match, the Scottish midfielder hailed under-fire Ten Hag for his influence. When asked what was the key to United's improved mentality against Chelsea, McTominay said: “Obviously the manager, to be honest with you.
“The way that we’ve approached the game, a lot of light training sessions to keep energy, to keep fresh, and to keep going for the next game – because obviously they come really thick and fast. But for us it’s a night that we should be happy with, and one that we can build on.”
He added: “We started really, really well in the game and obviously the fans are really happy with the way we started and reacted after a pretty abysmal display against Newcastle, to be honest.
“All the boys were so upset with how we coped with that game, it wasn’t anywhere near good enough, and to come here and win tonight was a plus and it’s something we can build on.”
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