Rio Ferdinand pinpoints four Premier League stars Man Utd should buy in £230m raid

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to splash £230 million on four Premier League stars this summer, warning that Ruben Amorim’s tenure could collapse without a major squad overhaul.

The United legend’s blunt assessment comes after Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Lyon, where Andre Onana’s latest blunders and a toothless attack left the Red Devils’ season teetering—and Ferdinand pointing fingers at Sir Jim Ratcliffe to act.

United’s dismal campaign hit another snag in Lyon, with Onana gifting goals to Alexandre Lacazette and Maxence Caqueret, only salvaged by late strikes from Rasmus Højlund and an own goal.

Sitting 13th in the Premier League after a 0-0 bore against Manchester City, Amorim’s side face Newcastle on Sunday—and Ferdinand isn’t holding back.

Speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, he named Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, Ipswich’s Liam Delap, and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as the “must-haves” to drag United out of the mire.

“Amorim’s got no chance with this lot—it’s a shambles,” Ferdinand said. “Wharton’s your Carrick regen—£50m, gets the ball moving.

Cunha’s dynamic, a No. 10 with bite—£60m. Delap’s banging them in at Ipswich, £40m with a release clause, sorted. And Branthwaite? £70m for a proper centre-back—tall, quick, English. That’s £230m, but Ratcliffe’s got to sell the deadwood first.”

The ex-United defender’s wishlist aligns with Amorim’s reported four-man priority list—a striker, midfielder, centre-back, and flair player. Delap’s nine goals this season outshine Højlund’s five, while Wharton’s passing range (88% accuracy, per WhoScored) could unlock Bruno Fernandes.

Cunha’s 12 goal involvements for Wolves offer versatility, and Branthwaite’s aerial dominance (6ft 5in) fits Amorim’s 3-4-2-1. But the £230m price tag hinges on sales—Antony’s £50m Atlético move and Alejandro Garnacho’s £40m Chelsea link could fund half the spree.

Ferdinand didn’t spare the current crop: “Onana’s a liability—two howlers last night. Garnacho’s gone stale, Højlund’s not clicking. You’ve got to be ruthless.”

His call echoes Gary Neville’s post-derby plea for five signings, though Ferdinand trims it to four, betting on Manuel Ugarte’s growth.

Ratcliffe, speaking to BBC Sport this week, vowed “money to spend,” but PSR constraints mean United’s Sunday clash with Newcastle (4:30 PM BST) could shape the budget—a loss might force more exits.

Chelsea and Arsenal lurk for Wharton and Cunha, while Everton won’t budge on Branthwaite without a Champions League carrot—United’s Europa League hopes now hang on next week’s Lyon return leg.

Fans on X are buzzing: @MUFC_Dave tweeted, “Ferdinand’s nailed it—£230m for those four and we’re cooking!”

But @RedDevilCynic warned, “Another £200m+ splurge to finish 10th? Seen this before.”

Amorim, post-Lyon, stayed coy: “I don’t talk transfers mid-season—we fight with what we’ve got.” Yet with United winless in six, Ferdinand’s blueprint might be the lifeline—or another expensive dream.