Rio Ferdinand Talks Angel Di Maria

Rio Ferdinand Talks Angel Di Maria

Whilst we’re all aware of the Angel Di Maria situation, and indeed fed up of hearing about how Manchester United’s record £60m signing walking out on the club in favour of a move to PSG after just 1 year. It must be said that to get an opinion from an ex-pro’s perspective is very refreshing, especially when this player knows Manchester United like the back of his hand.

Former United and England centre back Rio Ferdinand has had a busy week! John Stones, Wayne Rooney and Louis van Gaal – Rio’s opened up about it all. But BT Sport’s new pundit has now given his thought’s on the Di Maria saga, something he believes the Argentine will regret, and that Manchester United should just move on.

“He will now always have on his CV that he was a failure at Man United. As a professional, I wouldn’t want something like that on my record. If I could rectify it by staying and trying to prove myself, I would have done that, but he has decided to leave.”


“I would have liked for him to stay there and prove he can perform for Man United. That is what we all wanted to see when the club paid so much for him last summer. I’m quite disappointed that he is going so soon. I think that he is a fantastic footballer and he just didn’t do it last season for whatever reason.”

“Maybe he didn’t fit into the system, maybe he didn’t understand what he was being told tactically by Van Gaal. He had problems off the pitch with his house being burgled and that may have had a big impact on his desire to stay or go. There are a lot of things that could have been factored into why he is going, but it is sad. Talent wise, I think he is one of the best players in the world. The price tags he has been sold for confirms that, but it just didn’t happen for him.”

“I can understand why some United fans are disappointed that Di Maria seems to have given up on making it at the club so quickly, but this is a business. United may have looked at it this summer and Van Gaal has probably come to the conclusion that he doesn’t fit into our system for whatever reason. At that point, you have to cash in.”

“Van Gaal has shown that he is big enough to stand up to a situation and say, okay let’s get rid of this player if it is not working out. However big a name he might be. Let’s get some of our money back, let’s get someone else. No messing about, there’s no point in keeping a player if he wants to go.”

When asked how Manchester United should spend the cash made on Di Maria’s sale, Rio opted for United to tighten up defensively, rather than straight up replace the winger.

“Defensively they are short. They need a central defender and I would say go for John Stones at Everton. He is the best young defender in England and it is a no-brainer for me. You’re buying someone who’s going to give you ten years’ service. He’s a great prospect.”

[All quotes sourced from ESPN]