Rio Ferdinand has insisted that one “prime” Manchester United legend would change the entire complexion of Erik ten Hag’s team if he were still a player today.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will see the Red Devils kick off the 2024-25 Premier League season with their match against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday.
The 54-year-old Dutchman will take charge of United for his third campaign, having inked a new contract extension this summer after Ineos’ end-of-season review.
Ten Hag has seen his first-team squad bolstered with new signings, including the arrivals of Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
United have also offloaded several players this summer, with the likes of Donny van de Beek and Mason Greenwood shown the door at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s United coaching staff has had a shake-up this summer, with Rene Hake and club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy arriving as his new assistant managers.
Ferdinand waxes lyrical about Man Utd legend
Rio Ferdinand on Wednesday took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and took part in a fan Q&A ahead of the new Premier League season.
One X user asked the Manchester United legend would he bring back a “prime” Ruud van Nistelrooy or a “vintage” Mark Hughes for the current first team.
Ferdinand admitted that he is a “bit biased” after he backed former United teammate Van Nistelrooy, who was a “devastating finisher” in his prime.
Van Nistelrooy spent five seasons at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson and scored a whopping 150 times in 219 appearances for United.
The 48-year-old Dutchman, who United signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2001, lifted a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I’ve got to go prime Ruud van Nistelrooy, man,” Ferdinand said.
“A bit biased because I played with him, but I saw up close and personal. What a devastating finisher he was.
“And I think this team have the components that are creative. You’ve got wide players that can beat people and create things.
“Bruno [Fernandes]’s probably, what, arguably one of the most creative players in football at the moment.
“So, I think you need the number nine who’s going to score the goals. [Rasmus] Hojlund’s obviously started injured. [Joshua] Zirkzee’s there. Just come in.
“But if you add Ruud van Nistelrooy to that mix, it changes everything.”
Ten Hag to rely on Zirkzee?
United wasted no time in the summer window to secure the signing of Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee from Serie A side Bologna in July.
Anthony Martial left Old Trafford at the end of last season and Ten Hag was in desperate need to reinforce his striking options for the new campaign.
However, Ten Hag was dealt an early blow during the pre-season tour after striker Rasmus Hojlund picked up an injury in the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal last month.
Rasmus Hojlund is expected to be out of action for six weeks, while Zirkzee didn’t play in pre-season due to him representing the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
Ten Hag has already warned that it will take time for Zirkzee, who was signed from Bologna for £36.54m, to become fit after missing out on the pre-season.
“He will have to make a step up and we will have to help him,” he said.
“It’s not like when you have a proper pre-season with the team. He went to the Euros so [he] had to train on his own.
“We will need time to fit him in and that will take some weeks.”
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