Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United should swerve signing Philippe Coutinho amid speculation linking the former Liverpool playmaker to a Premier League return. Coutinho has failed to hit the heights he hit at Anfield in spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich and has been tipped to return to England in the summer.
Ferdinand thinks the Brazilian would have been a good signing before United landed Bruno Fernandes in the January transfer window, but questioned where he would fit in now. And he is convinced he would be a better fit at Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal, although admitted a deal may prove out of their price range.
‘At Liverpool he was an amazing player, but since he left Liverpool he hasn’t really done it yet,’ Ferdinand said in an Instagram Q&A on Monday. ‘He struggled at Barcelona, struggled to fit in there and then he hasn’t done amazingly well at Bayern. I think he is a great player, a huge talent, I think he needs saving. Coming into the Premier League to the right team would be a saviour for him, he needs that.
‘I would have said Man United before Bruno Fernandes turned up, but not now. Would he improve Spurs? Yes he would, 100 percent. People like Kane, Dele, Son etc. all feed off someone like him.
‘I think he would be a great addition to Spurs’ squad. Arsenal he would definitely improve them, but where does he play in their system? They’ve got Ozil. I like Ozil if he is played well. ‘Barely any team can afford him where he would fit in. He wouldn’t fit into City, Liverpool, not any teams like that. ‘Would he be a good addition, yes? Not Man United though, and he played for Liverpool so it is a difficult one. The rivalry is mad.’
