Rio Ferdinand
Image Credits: Rio Presents / YouTube
Manchester United’s decline since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement has sparked endless debate.
But for Rio Ferdinand, one of the club’s greatest defenders, part of the blame lies in who United chose to sell – not just who they signed.
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The Red Devils sit 16th in the Premier League table, a far cry from the dominance they once enjoyed.
And while billions have been spent on new players, Ferdinand believes the club let go of talent who could have thrived during the transition period.
Rio Ferdinand names shock at departure of four players
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand named four players he believes should never have been sold by United: Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez (Chicharito), Rafael da Silva and Fabio da Silva.
“These were great squad players,” he said.
“But could have become starters when a few of the bigger and older players were leaving.”
Ferdinand was especially baffled by the sales of Welbeck and Hernandez, two strikers who offered different threats and had proven Premier League pedigree.
Welbeck, who joined Arsenal in 2014, has enjoyed a late-career revival and remains a regular Premier League starter at Brighton.
“Look at Welbeck now – what United would do to have him in the team now,” Ferdinand said.
Hernandez, known as Chicharito, played a pivotal role in Ferguson’s final years, scoring crucial goals and helping United win two league titles.
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“When I heard we were letting Chicharito go, I thought, ‘what am I hearing here?” Ferdinand said.
“You’re letting him go when he’s scoring mad amount of goals on a regular basis.”
He also expressed frustration at the club parting ways with full-back brothers Rafael and Fabio da Silva shortly after Ferguson’s exit.
“There’s no full-backs who have come in and done much better than Rafael or Fabio,” he argued.
Ferdinand believes the duo could have anchored United’s flanks during the club’s transitional years instead of being pushed out prematurely.
In his eyes, the club lacked long-term planning and failed to build on the promising younger core that Ferguson left behind.
Ferdinand’s comments come amid renewed scrutiny of United’s recruitment and decision-making in a season where results and performances have hit historic lows.
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