Rio Ferdinand claims Phil Foden is ‘in danger’ of copying Manchester United flop for England

Rio Ferdinand has explained how Manchester City star Phil Foden is in danger of becoming like one Manchester United flop for England.

England started their 2024 European Championship journey with a 1-0 triumph over Serbia, secured by a brilliant header from Jude Bellingham.

Manchester United‘s young talent, Kobbie Mainoo, made his competitive debut for Gareth Southgate‘s team in the final stages of the game, while Luke Shaw, although named on the bench after returning from injury, did not play.

Read More: Fabrizio Romano hints at four Manchester United transfers in the coming weeks

While the victory was the key outcome, Serbia posed a significant challenge, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford making several crucial saves throughout the match. Many had hoped that Premier League Player of the Season, Phil Foden, would shine, but he was rather absent in comparison to others.

Rio Ferdinand, who has vast experience playing for England and has captained both the national side and Manchester United, has explained how the current situation with Foden

“Me, Micah [Richards] and Cesc [Fabregas] done [was a pundit for] that game the other day, and Micah was saying how he felt sorry for Phil and about how [Gareth] Southgate is not getting the best out of him.

“And then, to be fair, Cesc just put him away, just said, ‘listen, no, no, no, it’s down to Foden’. Foden’s got to go out there and you’re talking about body language, being demanding and authoritative with the way that you want the ball.

“Jude [Bellingham] has got that in spades, and I think if we’re going to see the best out of Phil Foden, and I agree with Cesc, he’s got to really go out there and try and dominate the pitch and dominate some of his teammates to give him the ball and be the first one to shout.”

He continued, explaining that it was a situation he had seen before while he was at United. Ferdinand compared it to when Sir Alex Ferguson signed Juan Sebastian Veron, who was completely dominated by Roy Keane at Old Trafford due to his lack of domination compared to the Irishman

Ferdinand insinuated that Foden is in danger of befalling the same fate if he does not become more dominating and animated within the England XI.

“I’ve seen this before at Man United. We had Roy Keane, who demanded the ball in the middle of the pitch. We signed a superstar in Juan Sebastian Veron. Ridiculous player; the streets will never forget this guy, that bandage under the knee.

“He was a playmaker that wanted to get the ball off all of the players and that’s how he got his rhythm and play. But Roy Keane dominated because he was more animated, the characteristics that he had came out and was much more dominant.

“He was there before and dominated that area. And Veron folded really and had to be sold and didn’t really become a success at Man United. But he was a fantastically talented player, and I hope Phil doesn’t fall like that.”

Veron never quite lived up to expectations after signing with United for a fee of £28.1 million in 2001. He left for Chelsea just two seasons later.

Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Thursday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.