Rio Ferdinand says Man United should have signed Arsenal’s £55m star

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has said he wishes his former club had signed “top player” Ezri Konsa before his £55m move to Arsenal. Konsa has made an excellent start to life with the Gunners after joining from Aston Villa in a big-money summer deal. The 29-year-old went straight into Mikel Arteta’s side because of William Saliba’s injury absence, and he has played a key role in Arsenal’s strong start, with the team winning 13 of their 16 matches so far this season.

He delivered another standout performance on Sunday as Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 to secure their first win at Anfield since 2012. Ferdinand was so impressed that he told his 18-year-old son Tate, a centre-back in Brighton’s academy, to watch Konsa play against Liverpool. The former Manchester United defender admitted he would have loved to see Konsa at Old Trafford before his move to the reigning Premier League champions.

Ferdinand believes Saliba will return straight to the team once he is fit, but he also thinks Konsa could slot back into right-back — a position he knows well — and challenge Jurrien Timber for a place in the side. “I think William Saliba is one of those guys that you have to find room for in the team,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel when discussing whether Konsa could keep Saliba out of Arsenal’s starting XI. “He’s that good, he’s top.

“I said to my son yesterday, ‘watch Ezri Konsa,’ because everything he does is efficient. That’s a great problem for Mikel Arteta to have. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Konsa goes back to right-back once Saliba comes back.

I wouldn’t be surprised because Konsa is top. “He’s a top, top player and another one I thought Manchester United should have got because he’s a top player. “He’s giving Mikel Arteta some big decisions to make and big headaches because he’s slipped in seamlessly and put in some big performances.

“What a signing he’s been for Arsenal.”