EPL: I need to leave – Rio Ferdinand names Man United star in search of new club

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand has said that he would be ‘gob smacked’ if Manchester United captain Harry Maguire wasn’t looking for a new club.

He said this after the England international responded to his earlier advice to leave Old Trafford, vowing to keep fighting for his place at Manchester United instead seeking a better playing time elsewhere.

Maguire has fallen down the pecking order in Manchester United’s central defence line, with Erik ten Hag seeing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as better options.

Although the England World Cup star returned to the lineup and captained United in the recent 3-0 wins over Bournemouth and Charlton, he still remains down the pecking order with the manager even opting to use left-back Luke Shaw in central defence.

Martinez and Varane are fit and will resume their partnership in the derby against Manchester City on Saturday.

With this, Ferdinand is certain the former Leicester City star will be quietly looking to find a new club immediately.

He told iNews: “If I [were Maguire]… and I’m sitting here fit, I’d have to be asking questions and saying ‘this ain’t happening, you obviously don’t fancy me, I need to look for a new club, thank you.’

“If Harry Maguire and his agent aren’t looking for a new club I’d be absolutely gob smacked. I don’t see Harry Maguire at this stage of his career saying ‘I’m happy to be a squad player.’

“I can’t see Maguire…saying he’s happy to be sitting on the bench. I wouldn’t be able to understand that.”