The England and Borussia Dortmund winger has been linked with a move to Old Trafford and the Reds’ former defender says he would be an ideal fit
Manchester United should move for rising England star Jadon Sancho, believes former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand.
And the former Old Trafford star thinks the Borussia Dortmund winger has the mentality to succeed with the Premier League giants after leaving cross-town rivals Manchester City to prove himself.
United have been linked with a big-money swoop for the 18-year-old, who has been named the world’s best teenager in Goal’s NxGn award for the best player born after January 1, 2000.
Ferdinand, who knows the London-born youngster and his family, feels he would be the perfect fit for the Reds, who have been seeking to fill their problem right-wing slot for a number of years.
“I would take him [at Manchester United] all day,” Ferdinand told Goal when asked about their interest in Sancho.
“English, young, hungry and talented, that’s all I need to know.”
Sancho left City in August 2017, frustrated at lack of first-team opportunity under manager Pep Guardiola.
The Etihad Stadium outfit were keen to keep a player nurtured in their academy and regarded as the brightest English talent of his generation.
But Ferdinand believes his willingness to move on shows Sancho’s determination and self-confidence, rather than impatience.
“I have known Jadon since he was a kid, knew him through friends. I have known his family since he was a kid, before he was even born.
“He has got the mentality. The mentality is a big part of it all, whether he has the physical attributes or not.
“The kid’s mentality, to leave Manchester City, who wanted him to stay, to just say ‘My ability deserves it and I think I can do it straight away, right now. I am not waiting’.
“And he has gone and done that. You have to respect that.
“So if someone asked me whether I would take Jadon Sancho, with all due respect to Borussia Dortmund, I would say yes, 100 per cent.”
Sancho has excelled in the Bundesliga, making 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and laying on 17 assists.
That form has seen him force his way into the England squad, and Ferdinand believes his success abroad – and that of others such as Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson at Hoffenheim – will benefit the English game.
“I think English youngsters moving abroad is good, it is good,” he added. “I don’t see it as a negative, so long as not all of them are going!
“I think in the long run it will be great for the national team. They are learning a different style of play and different cultures. They can bring that back into the melting pot of England and I think it is beneficial for Gareth Southgate’s squad.
“England will continue to improve, because we have got the underbelly of talent coming through at every level.”
Ferdinand also believes the arrival of young blood such as Sancho at Old Trafford can help United back to the top.
“They are going to be challenging the older ones and you need that within football and within Manchester United’s squad,” he said. “You need the younger players to come in and push the others on. History has shown that.
“The Class of ’92, Sir Alex Ferguson invested in young players after that as well, replenishing the squad, always bringing in young and hungry players.”