Rio Ferdinand has claimed only one of Rúben Amorim’s current crop has all three attributes that Sir Alex Ferguson used to demand at Manchester United.
Rio Ferdinand knows how to win. The former Manchester United defender is widely considered one of the best Premier League centre-backs of all time, following his stunning record at the club.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the ex-England international collected six Premier League titles, two Football League Cups, and a Champions League title, among others.
He made 455 appearances across his 12-year stint at Old Trafford following a then-record transfer of £29.1 million, which made him the most expensive defender of all time in 2002.
He has since retired and has gone on to become a very successful pundit, presenter, and YouTuber, and keeps very up to date with his beloved club.
Only Fernandes would make it at the Old United
Speaking on United’s Inside Carrington podcast, Ferdinand was asked if there were any players in Rúben Amorim’s current squad who he feels could make it during his period at the club.
The 47-year-old went on to cite three pillars that, as described by former Red Ryan Giggs, Sir Alex used to demand every day, and that Bruno Fernandes is the one current player who ticks all three boxes.
“A player I think could have played in our team would be Bruno, because I said when I was talking to him earlier, Giggs even made a really kind of good statement, when I interviewed him he said there’s three things that you need to be a Man United player,” he started.
“You need to be able to run, take risks, and have imagination, and that’s Bruno. If you’re describing Bruno, that would be him, do you know what I mean?
“Now whether you think he’s good or bad at any of them, but his intentions are perfectly aligned to those three pillars there, and he can execute, his numbers are ridiculous, and in the time he’s been in the Premier League, no one’s created more chances than [Kevin] De Bruyne, anyone.
“That’s a massive stat. So he has the quality, and I think he’d also have the mindset to be able to be in our team.”
Fernandes’ quality and numbers speak for themselves
Ferdinand was sitting alongside fellow former United defender Phil Jones for the episode. Jones played alongside Fernandes for a few seasons before retiring in 2024, and completely agreed with the sentiment.
“I agree, I agree. I think that his numbers, he’s assessed his goals, and I think in those difficult moments in the game, he’s somebody who you look to and go, come on, show me something,” Jones added. “This is why the club bring you in, to show something, and he’s done that in abundance.”
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In reply, Ferdinand continued on his point about Fernandes’ mentality, stating that, “Also, importantly, he wants to be that guy. He wants that moment to come to him, where he’s either taking the shot or he’s producing a moment for somebody else.
“That’s an important thing, because a lot of people, even at the biggest clubs, will shy away from that and say, let him do that over there. He ain’t that guy.”
There is increasing speculation about Fernandes’ long-term future at United after the Portuguese international stated he does not feel fully appreciated by the club’s hierarchy. But one thing is for sure: fans will never forget his performances and numbers.
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