Rio Ferdinand insisted that Ineos and Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe must target a minimum of four signings in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Ineos spent heavily last summer to strengthen the Manchester United first-team squad for the Red Devils’ 2025-26 campaign under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
United made several high-profile acquisitions in the 2025 summer transfer window, including signing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
Benjamin Sesko was also signed from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £73.7m, while Senne Lammens arrived from Royal Antwerp for an initial £18.1m transfer fee.
READ MORE: ‘Ticking those boxes’: Rio Ferdinand explains why Elliot Anderson fits Man Utd better than Bruno Guimaraes
Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux in 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
How many points will Man Utd get from the three games in April? Let us know your predictions!
Starting with a home match vs Leeds when we return!
Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand wants to see two major signings among the four players that Ineos should target for Man Utd
Following the boost to Manchester United’s attack last summer, the Red Devils’ ‘top priority’ for the upcoming summer transfer window is believed to be the midfield.
United have been linked with several midfield names in recent months, including both Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
More United News
Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand has insisted that two of his “priorities” in Man Utd’s summer transfer spending would be top-tier midfield options.
The United legend said that he would want one of the two midfield targets to be “younger” amid playing alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.
“If United go and get four players in the next window and two of those are starters, then I think that’s a realistic transfer window,” he explained on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“If I were at the club, my priorities would be two central midfielders, one who starts and maybe a younger one who you can blood in here and there around Bruno [Fernandes], Kobbie [Mainoo] and the one you bring in.”
READ MORE: Why Rio Ferdinand thinks Matthijs de Ligt’s back injury has made him miss 22 Man Utd matches in row now
Should Manchester United break the transfer record in summer 2026? Who should we target?
Who has been Manchester United's best and worst big money signings?
Record transfers graphic
Getty Images
Outside of the Man Utd midfield, Rio Ferdinand turns his attention to two other areas that he wants to improve
Benjamin Sesko has made an impact in recent weeks under Michael Carrick, but Ferdinand is keen for the Red Devils to sign another forward option as well.
Ferdinand would want a younger forward to develop for the long term, while the 47-year-old former Man Utd star would also bring a new full-back to the club.
“I would also go for another forward, a younger one who is going to be more of a back-up to what we’ve already got,” he added.
“And I would go for a full-back. That’s it.
“I know you can say you want ten new players and most positions can be improved, but I don’t think you need a huge revamp. It’s still a lot, but that’s realistic.”
Outside of the attention on Man Utd’s upcoming summer transfer window, the Red Devils will appoint a new long-term managerial successor to Ruben Amorim.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox