Rio Ferdinand says Man Utd sold £75m Chelsea flop 'too soon'
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United made a rash decision when they sold Romelu Lukaku and has accused the club of failing to 'play to his strengths'.
United spent £75m to sign the Belgian striker from Premier League rivals Everton in 2017.
Jose Mourinho sanctioned Manchester United's big-money move after Lukaku scored 87 goals in 166 games for Everton.
Lukaku established himself as one of the best strikers in England at Goodison Park after flopping at Chelsea, who signed him for the first time in 2011.
Belgium's top goalscorer netted 27 goals during his first season at Old Trafford but was less influential in his second and was sold to Inter Milan just two years after joining United.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
Two productive seasons in Serie A earned Lukaku a move back to Chelsea worth almost £100m but the striker, now 32, struggled at Stamford Bridge and was sent on back-to-back loan moves back to Italy.
Lukaku finally left Chelsea on a permanent transfer last summer and this season has helped Napoli win the Serie A title, scoring 14 goals in the league.
'I need to give a shoutout to a man called Romelu Lukaku,' Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel before explaining the 'mistake' Manchester United made with the striker.
'He's another player who's left Manchester United [and thrived]. He's won Serie A again and scored on the night they won it.
'I look at Lukaku and the problem, especially in England, has been everyone looks at what he can't do or what he's not so good at.
'Just because he's big and quick people expect him to play in a certain way. His game is about running onto things and running at people.
'Another mistake I think Man United made was we didn't play to his strengths and we got rid of him too quick probably. More Trending
'When you don't play to his strengths he's not going to be able to produce his best work.
'But he's shown what quality he has, his goal record over the years really stacks up.'
Lukaku was not the only former Manchester United player to star in Napoli's Serie A title win, with Scott McTominay playing a crucial role in the club's success this season.
The Scotland international, who was sold by boyhood club United last summer for £25m, had 16 goal involvements in the Italian top-flight.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Matheus Cunha takes Manchester United star's shirt number ahead of £62.5m transfer
MORE: Paul Scholes urges Jack Grealish to join Premier League club after Man City snub
MORE: Jamie Redknapp tells Ruben Amorim to sell key Manchester United star
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
42 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would consider managing in South America
Guardiola has not necessarily got any plans to leave the Etihad Stadium – and has two years remaining on his contract – but did not reject the idea when asked ahead of City's clash with Al Ain in Atlanta. South American fans have brought colour to the Club World Cup (Derik Hamilton/AP) The Spaniard said: 'Why not? Many, many good things in all history that happen in football – many, many good things – come from South America. 'You know, from Brazil – especially Brazil – Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay. I would say all the countries, many, many good things. 'The greatest players come from there, and after most of them come to Europe because of the opportunities economically and prestige. 'They're incredible. I love, love, love it when you're in this tournament and you play South American teams. 'This culture, the way their fans live every single action is what it is all about. We have to live this competition.' Guardiola has made clear he is taking the current tournament very seriously. City side opened their campaign at the expanded global event in the United States with a comfortable 2-0 win over Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday. They return to action – and can secure a place in the last 16 – when they take on Al Ain of Abu Dhabi in Atlanta on Sunday night (2am Monday BST). The event has so far received a mixed reception, and there are concerns over how it could impact the start of the 2025-26 season, but Guardiola is determined not to hold anything back. He said: 'Once we are here, I want to be doing the best. I want to enjoy that moment here. 'We can say it's annoying coming here but the other side is like, well, it's one time every four years that we are here and I want to be back. You have to win big prizes to be here. 'I want to arrive in the last stages – I want to go there. That's the truth, I've said it many times. It is an honour to be here.' Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move away from City (Mike Egerton/PA) Guardiola has said that he would like to trim his squad for the next Premier League campaign and there has been speculation linking former captain Ilkay Gundogan with Galatasaray. The 34-year-old rejoined the club last summer after a one-year spell at Barcelona. Guardiola said: 'No news, good news. I don't know anything, I didn't speak with him. If he will not be part (of the squad), he would not be here. 'At the same time, we have – right now – too many players. Step by step maybe a few players are going to move. 'But, right now, Ilkay is absolutely part of my mind and the team.'
Reuters
44 minutes ago
- Reuters
Tudor dismisses end-of-season fatigue narrative, Juventus primed for Club World Cup challenge
PHILADELPHIA, June 21 (Reuters) - Juventus manager Igor Tudor played down suggestions that his team are showing signs of end-of-season fatigue, insisting his players are motivated and ready to compete as they prepare to face Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Juventus opened their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over UAE's Al Ain, and a win against Wydad would secure their progression to the next stage. Such a result would set up a highly anticipated Group G showdown with Manchester City on Thursday, likely to determine the group winners. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tudor said he sees no signs of lethargy in his squad. "I don't see any signs of fatigue in the team; on the contrary, I see a lot of enthusiasm," he said. "It's a pleasure to see them enjoying playing together. They started the last match like it was a final. There's more confidence in them now, not just a little but a lot more. They're enjoying what we're building together, and that's a fantastic thing." Tudor, who took over in March following the dismissal of Thiago Motta, has overseen a remarkable turnaround at the Turin club. Juventus were floundering outside the Serie A top four and had been eliminated from all cup competitions when Tudor arrived. However, under his guidance, the team suffered just one further league defeat, finishing fourth to secure Champions League qualification. Reflecting on his tenure thus far, Tudor expressed pride in his players' professionalism and commitment. "I have great professionals who've been available from the first day to the last," he said. "There's been a lot of work behind the scenes, but we've also developed a better understanding of the game and what I ask of them as a coach." Despite the strong start in the Club World Cup, Tudor urged his squad to remain focused. "Juventus should be ambitious, but we must stay humble and work hard with our heads down," he said. "I always tell the players to focus on training and take each match as it comes. Maybe I bore them by saying it, but that's the mindset we need." Juventus' clash with Wydad Casablanca will be a key test of their progress under Tudor, with the Italian side looking to maintain momentum ahead of the knockout stages of the tournament.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
HUGE football star and manager 'to star on the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing'
Football icon Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is reportedly set to appear on the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing. The former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach, 53, is believed to have signed up to the BBC flagship show, according to The Sun. A source told the publication: 'Jimmy has a huge fanbase from his years playing in the Premier League and is a very likeable character. 'Show producers are always keen to book a retired footballer as it gets footie fans tuning into the series and becoming unlikely fans of the show. 'Jimmy has a competitive edge and is going to get his head in the game.' The father-of-four was a professional player with Leeds and Middlebrough for two decades before he retied in 2008. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Strictly Come Dancing for comment. The rumour comes weeks after Strictly bosses announced the professional lineup for this year's show and revealed there will be two brand new dancers joining. Dianne Buswell, who lifted the glitter ball in December with Chris McCausland, will be joining Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal in returning to the dance floor this September. They will be joined by Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola who will all take to the floor once more alongside two new stars, who will be announced closer to the time. Amy Dowden, who pulled out in the opening weeks of last year's show due to a foot injury, will also be back on Strictly for 2025, as will Carlos Gu and Kai Widdrington, who didn't have a celebrity partner last year. Despite rumours that he might be making a return after missing out on last year's series, Giovanni Pernice will not be heading back to the ballroom this time around. Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said : 'The excitement is already building ahead of the new series and in addition to welcoming back our fantastic returning Pros, we are looking forward to welcoming two brand new Professional Dancers to the line up who will help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more besides to viewers later in 2025.' As well as the pros taking part in the competition itself, all of them will be taking to the floor each week in group routines. The rumour comes weeks after Strictly bosses announced the professional lineup for this year's show and revealed there will be two brand new dancers joining MailOnline previously revealed that Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen will return to the BBC show this year. It was rumoured that the programme's longest-serving dancer was axed by bosses, sparking an 'ageism' row among the cast but it has been confirmed that the star, 42, will be back as normal when the series returns in September. Karen, who joined the lineup in 2012, is yet to win the glitter ball trophy but has reached several finals including with celebrity partners Made In Chelsea 's Jamie Laing and former TOWIE star Mark Wright. Last year, Karen was partnered with former footballer Paul Merson, 57, but the pair were eliminated in week five and the previous season the dancer performed with DJ Eddie Kadi. The Venezuelan, who was previously married to ex-pro Kevin Clifton, returns to the show alongside the likes of Strictly favourites Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, and Jowita Przystal, who reached the semifinal stages last year with Pete Wicks. In November, it was reported that Karen was at 'risk' of losing her place on the show because of her age when dancers like Dianne Buswell, 35, and Michelle Tsiakkas, 29, are younger participants. Meanwhile, Carlos Gu (pictured, left) and Kai Widdrington (right) will be returning after not appearing in the 2024 edition Johannes Radebe (pictured, left) is back for the 2025 edition after receiving a huge spike in popularity, leading to a busy diary and will join Aljaž Škorjanec (right) Katya Jones (pictured, left) will be joining Jowita Pryzstal (right) on the much-awaited return of Strictly this September A TV source told MailOnline: 'Karen is a well loved and respected member of the Strictly cast and there's no way she would be axed, especially not because of her age. 'She has dedicated years to the programme and can't wait to get back in the training room with a new partner in the next coming months.' Following speculation surrounding whether she would axed from the long running series due to being in her 40s, Karen spoke about not being 'threatened' by younger competitors. Indeed, she said performing alongside new joiners makes her feel empowered and she is 'inspired' by the younger generation. In February, she said: 'Of course, Strictly brings in younger female dancers. I'm the longest serving on the show, but new dancers don't threaten me - I watch them and I learn from them. 'They inspire me and build my confidence. I've become the person for them that I didn't have when I joined the show. I'm always there to help because there is a big spotlight on you on Strictly.' As well as competing on the show with celebrity contestants Jeremy Vine, Simon Rimmer, Greg Wise and Chris Ramsey, Karen also danced with comedian Jayde Adams, which was her first female partnership. On competing with a female for the first time in 2022, Karen said: 'I've danced with a lot of male dancers, but it's finding what works for them. This is more natural. Luba Mushtuk (pictured, left) was partnered with Nick Knowles in 2024 while Nancy Xu (right) danced with singer Shayne Ward last year Lauren Oakley (pictured, left) stepped in for Amy as JB Gill's partner and Michelle Tsiakkas (right) was with Jamie Borthwick last time 'It is female empowerment for me to be dancing with Jayde. I feel the most comfortable because there is that friendship. 'We are girls and we talk about everything. We cry together, we laugh together. We share so many things. 'When it comes to the dancing we are able to put that emotion into it.' It was alleged last year that a Strictly 'cull' of the professional dancers would see a change in the lineup, with Gorka rumoured not to be coming back for the upcoming season. Throughout his time on the show Gorka has been partnered with the likes of EastEnders actress Tameka Empson, Coronation Street star Katie McGlynn, and radio host Nikita Kanda. In 2024, he competed with Morning Live doctor Punam Krishan and the pair impressed the judging panel with their Couples' Choice performance where they danced a Bollywood routine. His partner Gemma Atkinson starred on Strictly in 2017, which is how the couple first met, and the fitness model reached the final, narrowly missing out to Joe McFadden and his partner Katya for the glitter ball trophy. It was alleged last year that a Strictly 'cull' of the professional dancers would see a change in the lineup, with Gorka Marquez rumoured not to be coming back for the upcoming season The World Latin Champion, who started dancing at the age of 12, landed a new role earlier this year on the judging panel for the Spanish version of Strictly. He's also been up and down the country performing with fellow pro dancer Karen on their Speakeasy tour. Gemma has admitted the time she finds most difficult as a mother is when Gorka is rehearsing for Strictly, saying his intense work schedule means he often isn't at their family home in Manchester. She said: 'He's never here. It's Strictly from July to December. If they get a partner, they're based where their partner is in the week. Obviously London at the weekend.' In recent years, the Strictly pro lineup has seen Italian dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni be axed following complaints about their conduct in the training room. Giovanni faced bullying accusations from former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington while Graziano 'kicked' ex-Love Island star Zara McDermott during rehearsals. There were also reports of a 'mass cull' with producers keen to revamp the Strictly pro cast.
