Stepping into Sir Alex Ferguson's office during the height of his Manchester United powers was daunting enough as it was, doing so with the Old Trafford legend cradling a sword ratchets that up a notch.
06.06.2023 - 21:03 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand said that Manchester United made a big mistake by allowing the likes of Jonny Evans, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck to leave the club when they did, claiming Welbeck is still 'good enough' to play for United now.
Following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement at the end of the 2012/13 season, it wasn't long before the landscape of United's squad started to change, first under David Moyes and then under Louis van Gaal. Hernandez left United just over a year after Ferguson's exit, joining Real Madrid on a season-long loan in September 2014.
Welbeck exited Old Trafford on the same day, joining Premier League rivals Arsenal. Van Gaal later revealed that he allowed the striker to leave M16 because he felt that he didn't have the qualities to play for a club of United's stature.
READ MORE: Why Erik ten Hag wants Mason Mount to replace Christian Eriksen
Evans, who was recently relegated to the Championship with Leicester City, left United a year later, joining West Bromwich Albion in August 2015. The Northern Irishman made almost 200 appearances for United, more than 150 of which came under Ferguson.
And it was United's decision to sell the likes of Evans and Welbeck that infuriated Ferdinand, who believes the club ripped the 'lifeblood' out of the club by allowing them to leave.
"One of the big things they messed up on… they sold the Da Silva twins [Fabio and Rafael], they sold Welbeck, they sold Chicharito, Jonny Evans, all in a short space of time," Ferdinand told the Vibe with Five podcast. "They were the lifeblood of United, they all came through the system, all United boys, and that was lost as well.
"That was a part of what the club had been built on before, people who would come through
Stepping into Sir Alex Ferguson's office during the height of his Manchester United powers was daunting enough as it was, doing so with the Old Trafford legend cradling a sword ratchets that up a notch.
"Be quick, I've only got a few minutes," Sir Alex Ferguson harked to a tight and tense press room at Carrington back in May 2002.
Former defender Rio Ferdinand has already delivered a glowing assessment of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana amid Manchester United's reported interest in his signature.
Kate Ferdinand may now be a doting stepparent to her husband Rio Ferdinand ’s children from his first marriage, but last week the 32-year-old opened up about the “shock” she experienced as she went from being a single, carefree reality star to a busy stepmum-of-three. The ex- TOWIE regular was just 26 when she met and fell in love with former footballer Rio, now 44. He was raising three kids alone following the devastating death of his first wife Rebecca Ellison, who passed away in 2015.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says it might only be a "matter of hours" before Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim is announced as the club's next owner.
Manchester City were crowned champions of Europe for the first time in their history on Saturday evening after beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final in Istanbul.
Jack Grealish had got the celebrations started in the dressing room at the Ataturk Stadium, and Kyle Walker had promised to demolish any drink put in front of him - with a pre-emptive apology to England boss Gareth Southgate.
Rio Ferdinand says Kyle Walker’s 'blood will be boiling' after the England international was left out of Manchester City’s Champions League final line-up against Inter Milan.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to the special mentality of Manchester United's treble winners ahead of the Champions League final in Istanbul this evening.
Liverpool's outgoing director of research, Dr. Ian Graham, has claimed that any club interested in signing Harry Kane this summer 'doesn't care' about getting their money's worth.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand hailed Zlatan Ibrahimovic as one of the best strikers in the world after he announced his retirement from football.
Raphael Varane has branded Karim Benzema a 'legend' after it was announced the striker would be leaving Real Madrid this summer.
Harry Maguire thinks Manchester United's experienced players and players who have won multiple major trophies will benefit the team's chances against Manchester City in the FA Cup final this weekend.
Manchester United could win both the FA Cup and League Cup in the same season for the first time ever against Manchester City this weekend.
Yaya Toure was still basking in the glory of defeating an 'unbeatable' Manchester United in the Champions League final when one of his toughest opponents flashed up on his TV.
Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United could raise £100million in transfer fees this summer by offloading Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Martial.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed he is in regular contact with Sir Alex Ferguson who provides him with advice.
Brian Kidd has lauded Erik ten Hag for staying true to Manchester United's ethos in his maiden season.
Erik ten Hag has equaled Sir Alex Ferguson's record for the most Manchester United home games won in a single season.
Ask any Manchester United fan, Rio Ferdinand is a club legend.