Rio Ferdinand has taken a savage dig at Arsenal while heaping praise on Manchester United's match winner on Sunday.
A 39th minute goal from Bruno Fernandes proved enough for Erik ten Hag's men to beat Aston Villa aT Old Trafford, leaving them well placed in their bid for Champions League football. Fourth-placed United now enjoy a seven-point cushion over nearest challengers Liverpool, having played a game less than their rivals.
And Portuguese star Fernandes, 28, will be a pivotal figure as the Red Devils fight to dine again at Europe's top table. Since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon in 2019, the midfielder has scored 61 goals and made 54 assists in 178 appearances, and this season has regularly worn the captain's armband in place of Harry Maguire.
And now Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during his own 12-year stint at Old Trafford, has claimed United's key man would be immortalised were he playing in North London. Reviewing the Villa clash on his FIVE podcast, he said: "We deserved to win the game.
"Did you see Bruno’s numbers? Wow. The guy, it’s remarkable what he is doing. If he was at Arsenal he’d probably have a statue now at the Emirates with the numbers he has done!"
With huge doubts over Maguire's future at the club amid his failure to hold down a first team place this season, Ferdinand also backed Fernandes to take the armband full-time in the 2023/24 campaign: "Does Bruno take the captaincy next year? 100 percent, I think he does," he continued.
"Since Bruno signed he has been the most impactful player we have had. He’s wearing the armband while Maguire doesn’t play. I think it is natural progression for him to be captain next season."
Not done there, Ferdinand also took aim at Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, who ahead of the game at United had talked up his side's own European ambitions: "Unai Emery was producing miracles, and who steps up to stop him?" he asked. "Bruno. Sit back down, Unai. Have a reality check and know your place."
The former England international knows his old club need more than a captaincy change to compete for the title next season though, and last week urged United to continue to pursue Harry Kane. During United's 2-2 draw at Spurs last Sunday, he said: "If there aren’t conversations going on in the corridors of power at Manchester United here and Mr Daniel Levy here about this man (Kane), I’d be very surprised."
