Senne Lammens
May 2026
Rio Ferdinand backed Senne Lammens to become Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper for the next decade. Strong performances, composure, and key saves since his arrival have convinced Ferdinand of his long-term potential.
Arsenal
May 2026
Rio Ferdinand predicted Arsenal will beat PSG in the Champions League final despite acknowledging PSG’s superior technical quality. He pointed to Arsenal’s dominance in set-pieces and physical strength, arguing PSG’s vulnerability at corners and free-kicks will be decisive.
Rio Ferdinand
April 2026
Rio Ferdinand says the only Tottenham players he would consider for Manchester United, if Spurs go down, are Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence. He was otherwise dismissive of the current Spurs squad during their relegation fight. On his podcast, Ferdinand initially said he would take nobody from Tottenham, then settled on Van de Ven and Spence as the only two worth considering. The comments come with Spurs sitting in deep trouble near the bottom of the table.
Rio Ferdinand
January 2026
Ferdinand says chronic back issues from his playing career can flare up suddenly and become so severe he needs hospital treatment and sometimes a wheelchair. He describes years of medication and injections during his career as contributing to ongoing problems. He says he has started regular physiotherapy and a more joined-up training approach, sharing information between physio and trainer to reduce flare-ups. He also frames staying active as important for family example-setting and his own mental balance.
Mark Clattenburg
September 2025
Former referee Mark Clattenburg recalled relentless pressure from Manchester United under Ferguson, describing how players like Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane would chip away at him after every decision, aiming to influence future calls through sustained intimidation and psychological tactics. Clattenburg admitted United’s presence made refereeing uniquely difficult. He responded by telling players to “tell Ferguson to f*ck off,” refusing to be overawed. He detailed heated incidents, including Ferguson “volleying” him at Bolton, highlighting the Scot’s intimidating aura that even officials feared.
Rio Ferdinand
September 2025
Rio Ferdinand supported Manchester United’s decision to loan Andre Onana to Trabzonspor, saying clearing underperforming players is vital. He praised football director Omar Berrada for ensuring the club no longer keeps players who are not contributing to the team. Ferdinand said United suffered for years by retaining unsuitable players due to financial mismanagement. He labelled Onana part of that cycle and welcomed his departure, believing the club must move on from individuals who fail to meet performance standards.
