Why Rio is wrong on Sterling and Man Utd – but could be right about Liverpool
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 20 Sep 2021 13:31 CDT
- 5 min read
Raheem Sterling’s troubles at Manchester City have already led to a host of transfer rumours regarding the England international attacker.
Barcelona have been linked with the former Liverpool player and now Sterling has been associated with a possible move across the city to Manchester United by legendary Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand.
Man Utd, though, will not be signing the 26-year-old any time soon.
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Rio Ferdinand on Raheem Sterling’s future
Ferdinand was critical of Man City’s treatment of Sterling in his podcast Vibe with Five.
“Where's Raheem Sterling? He's lost confidence because he's been taken out of the team,” Rio said.
“He was the go-to guy when they needed a goal, for so many years, and now all of a sudden he's in the wilderness.
If I'm Liverpool, I'd buy Sterling tomorrow ... If I'm him, I wouldn't go to Barcelona or Real Madrid right now, that's why I said Liverpool ... Man United will take him
- Rio Ferdinand“I'm baffled by it, I just don't understand. With Pep, he gets things right more often than not, but with this one there must be clubs sitting there going 'let's see how this pans out because I would take Sterling all day!
“If I'm Liverpool, I'd buy Sterling tomorrow ... If I'm him, I wouldn't go to Barcelona or Real Madrid right now, that's why I said Liverpool ... Man United will take him.”
Why Sterling will not go to Man Utd
Sterling looks odds on to move next summer, but the probability to Man Utd making a deal for him is slim.
Firstly, the Red Devils already have an outrageous wealth of attacking talent at their disposal. Even if Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard leave at the end of their respective contracts, where does Sterling fit into the mix?
Cristiano Ronaldo will expect to lead the line next season while Jadon Sancho has not been signed with a view to being ditched after one year. Bruno Fernandes’ position in the No.10 role is secured while Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood will both want regular first-team minutes. And then there’s Amad Diallo.
With areas such as central midfield and right-back needing propped up, Sterling cannot be considered a likely target as things stand.
Back to Liverpool?
Liverpool, though, have less competition in the forward areas and have doubts over Mohamed Salah’s future.
Even allowing for the fact that Salah is likely to sign a new deal and Harvey Elliott should make a full recovery after his serious injury, Jurgen Klopp could use more meat in his attacking options.
Of course, the explosive way that he departed the club in 2015 will count against any potential Liverpool return that Sterling, but for a player of his quality, clubs are typically happy to let bygones be bygones.
