Manchester United transfer decision slammed by Rio Ferdinand with £75m influx in progress

Rio Ferdinand has slammed one of Manchester United’s recent transfer decisions as the club look to secure over £75 million this week.

Manchester United are set to complete their fifth signing of the summer with the arrival of Manuel Ugarte.

Erik ten Hag has already bolstered his squad with the acquisitions of Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui, bringing the total spending to approximately £139 million. Ugarte’s signing will push this figure beyond the £200 million mark.

Read More: Manchester United planning SIX exits and four incomings as transfer deadline day approaches

Simultaneously, the club has raised over £60 million through the sales of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mason Greenwood, Willy Kambwala, and others. As the transfer window deadline approaches on Friday, United are hoping to finalise three more sales for as much as £75 million.

One of those players is Scott McTominay, who is set to sign for Napoli for around £25 million after 22 years of playing for United’s first team and academy set-up.

However, former United centre-back and club legend Rio Ferdinand slammed the decision, explaining that McTominay is precisely the type of player United need in their squad to challenge for the Premier League title.

“I look at Scott McTominay and, like, not every player can be a star standout player or a franchise player,” Ferdinand said on his podcast.

“I always say this: to win the league, you need the likes of a John O’Shea, a Wes Brown, Darren Fletcher, Chicharito [Javier Hernandez], Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from when we were at United. 

“Or you need the likes of [Julian] Alvarez when he was at City who can come in, like last season Jeremy Doku was coming in and impacting games even though not necessarily always starting all the games.”

Ferdinand then highlighted the 27-year-old’s reliability and consistent performances when Ten Hag called upon him and branded the move to replace him with a big-money signing, Manuel Ugarte, a risk.

“Those players are huge; you need those players, and they understand the DNA, especially the ones who come through the academy; Man United have always stood by that,” Ferdinand continued.

“It really doesn’t sit well with me. To replace him you are going to have to spend 30, 40, £50 million and give him £150,000-a-week probably, it’s not going to be cheap to replace him. 

“It’s a gamble; you don’t know what you’re going to get with that next player. Whereas with him, you know what you’re getting, it’s on the tin, he’s there, he turns up when he’s playing.

“He might not always be an eight or nine out of 10, but invariably, he is a good, solid seven. And every now and then, he will be an eight and get you a goal.”

Meanwhile, United are hoping to raise around £75 million for McTominay, Jadon Sancho, and Hannibal Mejbri.

Hannibal is set to put pen to paper on a £9.5 million transfer to Championship club Burnley, while McTominay’s £25 million move is imminent.

Meanwhile, United are in negotiations with Juventus for Jadon Sancho and are demanding £40 million for the 24-year-old winger. However, there have also been reports that they are entering discussions with Chelsea over a potential swap deal for Raheem Sterling.

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