Ferdinand warns Sancho transfer will not solve Man Utd's 'fundamental problems'

Rio Ferdinand has become the latest Manchester United legend to take aim at the club’s transfer policy.

With less than two weeks of the window remaining, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed just one player, with Donny van de Beek arriving from Ajax.

Jadon Sancho continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, amid claims Solskjaer has placed him at the top of his transfer wishlist.

In recent weeks, Gary Neville and Patrice Evra have both questioned United’s transfer business, with the former suggesting a defensive signing should be a priority.

And Ferdinand has joined those calls, telling BT Sport that Solskjaer should look at strengthening at the back.

“The centre-back area, first game of the season you’re looking for someone to set their stall out in defensive areas. They did anything but that,” he said ahead of the game with Brighton.

“It was slow, it was cumbersome, and I picked out three examples for goals.

“I can see so many different mistakes, areas there can be improvements.”

On the chase for Sancho, Ferdinand claimed that although he is a “generational talent” he won’t solve the core problem in United’s squad.

He added: “Listen, you look at Liverpool the best team in the land.

“Issues in goalkeeping areas - Alisson, big signing. Issues at centre-back? Van Dijk, bang, they deal with it.

“Manchester United have not done that. This is not an issue we’re seeing that’s just happened the other day.


“I want Jadon Sancho to come to Man Utd, he’s a generational talent, he’s someone who will get fans off their seats, a Man Utd player.

“But does he solve the fundamental problems that I see happening with this team?

“Are you looking across the tunnel across that line thinking ‘I’m going to have to be at my absolute best to get a chance against this Manchester United team’?

“I don’t think so - and that’s a problem for me.”