Pranav Nair
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand opens up on being rejected by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Speaking on his Youtube channel (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has opened up on being rejected by Arsene Wenger in the final years of his career.
One of the finest players to play in the Premier League, Ferdinand was a pillar at the back for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side for 12 years. During that time, he was a part of numerous Championship winning teams and was the leader at the back that the club needed.
Ferdinand ended up playing 455 games for the club, winning six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, and three League Cups among other accolades.
The Englishman, however, did not hang up his boots at United and instead moved to Queens Park Rangers in 2014. He was however past his best and the less written about his time at the London club, the better. He would eventually retire from the game a year later.
However, things could have turned out different had a meeting with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gone according to plan. Ferdinand ran into the French legend and offered his services as a leader in the dressing room.
“I am leaving Man United and if you want, I will come and try and help the dressing room etc because I think you need help in that department.”
Wenger declined Ferdinand’s offer on the account of his poor performances at QPT. One cannot begrudge Wenger for his decision given that Ferdinand was clearly in the twilight of his career.
While the player himself admits he lost that yard of the advantage he had on the pitch, he could have been a key contributor off it. Arsenal clearly could have done with a strong leader such as Ferdinand in the dressing room.
“He didn’t take me up on the offer and he was right because my performances at QPR weren’t up to the levels, but in the changing room, I believe I could have helped him, because that is where a lot of the culture derives from.”
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Personally, we are glad that Ferdinand never got to don the Arsenal jersey. The last thing the United legend would have needed to experience was the toxicity that pertains to everything regarding the Gunners especially the fans. More so, the thought of watching him decked out in our rival’s jersey would have been rather nauseous.
In the end, however, it is Arsenal’s loss. The Gunners are a shadow of the side that once challenged United consistently and appear to lack even today, the mental strength or fight required to succeed.
