• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Rio Ferdinand highlights two transfer targets that Man United should pursue

Home> Football> Premier League

Published 18:26 28 Oct 2023 GMT+1

Rio Ferdinand highlights two transfer targets that Man United should pursue

The ex-Man United defender has pinpointed two key names that he believes would bolster the squad and take it to the next level.

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged his old club to add a couple of key names to their ranks, believing it will take them to the next level.

Both players play in the same position, but the 44-year-old believes that it will bolster the United squad.

The Red Devils do not have a lack of options at centre-back, but due to the continuing fitness issues of both Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, Erik ten Hag may be forced to dip into the transfer market for more reliable reinforcements.

Advert

The United gaffer could of course continue to call on existing centre backs in the squad like Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, but there is a general consus among the fanbase that there is an uncertainty if either is a long-term solution.

The search for a new centre-back may not be too difficult, as one of the best defenders of his generation in Rio Ferdinand has named two players that he thinks United should look to sign in January.

Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Ferdinand said: "The boy at Lens, (Kevin Danso) there’s one there, he’s good,’ "The Uruguayan boy at Barcelona, Araujo. Whether he’s gettable or not, I think he’s brilliant. He’s an unreal centre half.

Advert

"He has every attribute to be perfect for the Premier League. I’d probably say he’s the standout, but whether he’s gettable or not, I don’t know. I’ve always said this – to be a successful team, you need that foundation of a solid defence and to be able to pick similar players."

He also added: "I think you look at the teams that have won (the league) recently – Liverpool and Man City – they’ve had consistency in their backlines of players featuring, especially in important stages of the season. And maybe United haven’t been afforded that."

Ronald Araujo has been touted as a potential transfer target for United by Rio Ferdinand. (
Getty)

Ferdinand did also go on to highlight the size of the loss that Lisandro Martinez has been to the squad, and praised the performances of Harry Maguire.

Advert

"But Martinez has been a huge, huge loss. His personality, his character, his ability on the ball has been exactly what Ten Hag wants and United were at their best last season when those two were playing together.

"But, again, with every person who falls away and gets injured, there’s an opportunity for someone else and at the moment, Harry Maguire seems to have that shirt. Hopefully that form continues now."

Manchester United's next fixture is on Sunday afternoon, a Manchester derby at Old Trafford against a City team that may not be at their best but are still considered to be levels about this United team.

The Red Devils are carrying some confidence over from their dramatic 1-0 win against Copenhagen on Tuesday, which they will hope can get them over the line.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand, Football

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Freelance football writer.

X

@joshnair10

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd

    Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks poised to get rid of the same player for two different clubs.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Fans lose their minds and say 'announce Yamal' after Barcelona superstar spotted in Premier League club's shirt

    Lamine Yamal sent fans wild this week after being seen in an iconic English football shirt.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do

    Sir Alex Ferguson lectured the former Manchester United player following the incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Football legend reveals he was on the verge of signing for Man Utd after idolising Old Trafford star for years

    The player represented the likes of Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan during his career but never got the chance to play for Manchester United.

    Football
  • Rio Ferdinand shares Wayne Rooney's greatest ever tweet on his 38th birthday
  • Rio Ferdinand explains tactic Man United should deploy to beat Man City in FA Cup final
  • Rio Ferdinand keeps it real with honest assessment of Jadon Sancho, sends message to Man United and Ten Hag