Rio Ferdinand has named the two ‘top pros’ he believes could have dragged Man United out of their post-Sir Alex Ferguson slump.
The Red Devils have endured a torrid 12 years since the Scotsman called time on his managerial career in 2013.
They’ve signed countless players and trusted six different coaches with the task of bringing the glory days back, but to no avail.
United are now, arguably, in the worst position they’ve been in in the post-Sir Alex era with just two trophies to compete for this season after the disaster at Grimsby Town and their failure to qualify for any form of European football last term.
But Rio Ferdinand, who made 455 appearance for the Red Devils, believes his former club could be sitting in a very difference place if they’d have signed two stars when they had the chance.
Speaking with Michael Owen on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former England defender said: ‘That’s the biggest mistake I think they’ve made in the last 10 years. I think if they go and pay the number that Spurs want, they would have got him [Harry Kane].
Rio Ferdinand has revealed the two ‘top pros’ he believes Manchester United should have broken the bank for
Red Devils fans have endured a torrid 12 years since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013
‘And if we’re to believe that, then I think if it didn’t happen because of a couple million here or there, I think it was a terrible decision.
‘I honestly think, I’ll say this and I’m convinced, if United had gone and got Declan Rice and Harry Kane in that window, Man United are in a different place now.
‘Because it goes back to the environment, those two drive an environment I think.’
The duo, who played at Old Trafford together between 2009 and 2012, indeed pinpointed the environment at United as one of the reasons for their downfall in recent years.
Michael Owen argued: ‘Look at the team you were a part of. I mean the leaders in there, you know, the older players – that’s a generation.
‘That’s your Nev [Gary Neville] and your Scholesy and your Giggsy and you coming into it. And even like those players, the younger ones, Rooney was a leader.
‘But they can flourish. I mean, look what Liverpool had, they got brilliant with the likes of [Jordan] Henderson and [James] Milner and players like that.’
Rio responded: ‘But there’s a culture of setting a standard every day there. Every day at the football club which they all have to adhere to. That environment is so crucial.
Ferdinand argued his former club should have paid the fee Spurs wanted for Harry Kane
Declan Rice is the other star Ferdinand believes could have brought about a shift in culture at Old Trafford
‘Man United have to get to the point of creating that. The manager’s got to cultivate that environment for those players to live and breathe every day.’
The Red Devils – with new additions Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko – started off their campaign this season in a promising fashion with a good performance against Arsenal despite losing 1-0.
Then came a mundane draw at Craven Cottage before the disaster result at Grimsby Town, after which Amorim declared that his players ‘spoke very loud’.
In a must-win game, United nevertheless got their season back on track at the weekend with a 3-2 victory at home to Burnley.
They’re back in action after the international break against Man City at the Etihad in a game in which both sides could be fielding a debutant keeper, after the two teams signed Senne Lammens and Gianluigi Donnarumma respectively.
Listen to the full Rio Meets Michael Owen interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
