Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Rio Ferdinand sees only positives with Max Aarons capture to solve Man Utd issue

Max Aarons Ryan Sessegnon Norwich Tottenham 2022 TEAMtalk21

Rio Ferdinand feels Manchester United should look to sign right-back Max Aarons following Norwich City’s relegation to the Championship.

United’s rearguard looks set for a summer revamp after the disastrous 2021-2022 campaign. The Red Devils conceded 57 goals en route to sixth place in the Premier League. They have been linked with many players, with new manager Erik ten Hag holding his first press conference on Monday.

Aarons has been mentioned in connection with the Old Trafford giants, while Tottenham and Chelsea have also been linked. With the Canaries finishing rock bottom of the standings, they will ply their trade in the second tier next term.

Therefore Aarons should be available at a decent price. And former United star Ferdinand feels he could be a player to make a real difference over a lengthy spell.

“Someone like Max Aarons you could put him like a Chris Smalling-type signing where they come in and they have an impact,” he said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show.

“They may not be straight starters immediately but they go and they stay there for 10 years and have a really good career and they impact the club at different levels.”

Ferdinand has no Timber concerns

Whether or not Aarons signs for Manchester United only time will tell but it seems as though centre-back Jurrien Timber will arrive.

Reports last week claimed terms had been agreed for the 20-year-old to move from Ajax in the off-season. He would reuinite with former boss Ten Hag at the club but doubts have been raised over his height.

At 5 ft 10 in, the Netherlands international is not the typical stature of a Premier League centre-half.

However, Ferdinand believes that the new boss’s strategy means his lack of inches will not be an issue.

“I think the way Ten Hag’s playing, looking at it, it’s like, ‘We’re going to be the team that’s the aggressor.

Arsenal and Man United both in Max Aarons chase

Arsenal and Man United both in Max Aarons chase

Norwich have an asking price of £20 million for Max Aarons which could be met this summer.

We’re going to be the team that dictates and dominates the games’. So he’s looking to play on the half-way line,” he added.

“He isn’t looking to play in a deep block, so he’s not thinking about [Timber’s height].

One thing he’ll have to think about is the physical element in the Premier League is very different to what he’s seen in Holland.

Erik ten Hag, John Murtough, Mitchell van der Gaag Crystal Palace v Man Utd May 2022

“So defending crosses, you could be 5ft10, we saw Patrice Evra he was 5ft3 probably but he was one of the best headers of the ball when we were doing defensive set-pieces. And he was a threat in the opposing box as well.

“So it can be done but whether he’s that guy, time will tell.”

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