Rio Ferdinand sends surprise two-word message to Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho amid transfer limbo

Rio Ferdinand has made a surprise comment to Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho in the wake of the pair being linked with moves away from Old Trafford. 

He issued a two-word message to Rashford, 27, and Garnacho, 20, who have been the subject of interest from Barcelona and Chelsea respectively. 

Borussia Dortmund are also in the running to land Rashford’s signature, while Napoli are reportedly keen to sign Garnacho. 

As a prominent pundit, Red Devils legend Ferdinand has not been shy in voicing his opinion on what the pair should do next. 

With United sitting in 13th place in the Premier League table after a tenth league loss this season – a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton – Ferdinand said the pair should ‘just go’ in an interview with Talksport. 

The former centre-back added: ‘There’s no doubt in my mind that these players are better than what they are producing right now’.  

Rashford has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford – with both Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund reportedly interested in signing the 27-year-old

‘But when the shirt feels so heavy it’s difficult to get out of the trenches sometimes. 

‘It’s normally not one person who can get you out of these types of situations but where are those individuals you need? I don’t see enough of them at the moment.

Ferdinand highlighted how other players have flourished, citing the form of Anthony Elanga at high-flying Nottingham Forest, as well as Scott McTominay at Napoli. 

‘The worrying thing is that these players are leaving and looking like they are spreading their wings and breathing again,’ he added. 

Despite the possibility of moving to pastures new, both Rashford and Garnacho trained at Carrington on Wednesday ahead of United’s Europa League game against Rangers. 

Joining them was Brazilian winger Antony, who could move to Real Betis before the window shuts on February 3.  

Brazilian winger Antony could move to Real Betis before the window shuts on February 3

Manager Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 setup means he could be open to allowing wide forwards to leave the club in order to replace them with players who may be more suited to a wing-back role. 

One player they seem particularly intent on bringing to Old Trafford is Patrick Dorgu, with the club sending an opening bid of around £23million for the Lecce wing-back  on Tuesday following talks with the Serie A side in Milan.

United director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves met with agents Frank Trimboli and Leon Angel as well as Lecce president Sticchi Damiani – although Lecce did not come into the transfer window intending to sell. 

‘We explained to Manchester that our will at the moment is to try to keep our staff unchanged, retaining all the big ones, especially Dorgu,’ said Damiani.