Rio Ferdinand Warns Manchester United's Star Over Future, Advises Red Devils To Splash $280M-Plus On These Signings

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has warned the club’s current star, Anthony Martial to prove he is a vital member of the side to keep his spot in the team while, while he has advised The Red Devils to sign the duo of Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho.

Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed his belief in Martial last season when he made the Frenchman the central striker after selling off Romelu Lukaku. Even though Martial has missed nearly three months of the current season due to injuries, he has sure lived up to Solskjaer’s expectations. He has netted 16 goals so far in 34 appearances this season and made a statement for himself while the manager looks to revamp the side fully in order to help Man Utd become one of the Premier League contenders once again.

The 20-time champions, Man Utd last won the league back in 2012-13 season, which was also the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season as the club’s in-charge.

Earlier, Solskjaer had said that Man Utd are a few signings away from once again challenging for the league title and making a reference to that, Ferdinand said there will be healthy competition and he believes Martial must show in his performances that he’s crucial.

“Big clubs you’ve got to fight, that’s it. That’s all it boils down to. Can you fight for your position? That’s it. You’ve got to accept there’s going to be an opportunity for someone else to come in and play. But then your performances have got to outweigh everything. You’ve got to make sure the manager knows,” Ferdinand, who led Man Utd in a few matches during his playing career, said in a recent interview.

The 41-year-old soccer player, who also associated with other English clubs such as Leeds and West Ham United, has urged the Old Trafford side to splurge $280 million-plus to bring in the likes of Spurs captain Kane and Dortmund winger Sancho.

“Harry has always been coy and held back but he's dropped a couple of bombs. He's been waiting for the dream at Spurs to materialize but it hasn't happened. He's frustrated. Do you think Harry would be happy, fulfilled and satisfied if he scores goals, break records but with no trophies at the end of his career? No. He will be upset and devastated. I think that statement means Harry is off, he wants to win trophies and that will alert clubs."

"I know Man United will be in for him because that type of player is perfect for them. I'm sure Juventus will be in and will Real Madrid come in? He will go for massive dough, at least $160m in today's market,” the former center-back said during a Q&A session on social media.

Speaking about Sancho, Ferdinand said, "Sancho is already familiar with playing with Kane and Marcus Rashford, with Ferdinand feeling that such an attacking triumvirate would help United return to their former glories."

"I want Jadon to go to a team where he will play, improve and get trophies. He's been linked with United, Chelsea, PSG but I think United is the place for him to go because I'm biased. (Marcus) Rashford, (Anthony) Martial, Kane, Sancho, that would intimate a lot of center-halves before a whistle is blown. Definitely.”