Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has sent a strong message to current boss Ruben Amorim, and it’s not what many fans expected.
With the summer transfer window in full swing, United have already spent over £200 million on new forwards. But the club is still being linked with another striker: 28-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is now a free agent after leaving Everton.
Calvert-Lewin has been a target for several clubs, including Newcastle and Leeds. He is hoping to find a new home, rediscover his top form, and make England’s squad for the World Cup next summer.
United have already made a big-money move for Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a massive £74 million deal. Sesko is young, fast, and talented, but he has no Premier League experience.
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Reports suggest that United could still make an offer to Calvert-Lewin, seeing him as a proven Premier League striker who can make an instant impact. But Ferdinand says this would be a big mistake.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former United captain said: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin? What are you chatting about, bruv? Calvert-Lewin can’t stay fit. No. Why would we bring him to this club? This club is built on the academy and we’ve got Chido Obi sitting there.”
Ferdinand believes that instead of signing an injury-prone player, United should trust 17-year-old Chido Obi, a wonderkid who came through the academy.
“Play him if you just need someone for a few games rather than someone who’s older and can’t stay fit. Sign Calvert-Lewin? On what grounds? No, I’m sorry, I disagree massively,” Ferdinand continued.
Obi is not just any academy player. Earlier in his career, he scored an unbelievable 32 goals in just 18 games for Arsenal’s under-18 side before joining United for a small fee last year.
He made his first-team debut under Ruben Amorim in February and went on to play five more matches before the season ended.
Denmark’s national team coach Brian Riemer is also full of praise for Obi. Speaking to Viaplay, Riemer said: “He is in a place now where it is insanely exciting, but he has to make his breakthrough. That is the next step he has to focus on: breaking through at Manchester United. And from there he is a player who would be extremely interesting.”
While Ferdinand is pushing for Obi’s rise, United’s transfer plans continue. The club is preparing to sell Rasmus Hojlund to AC Milan for around £40 million.
Hojlund has struggled since joining United from Atalanta for £72 million, and Sesko’s arrival has pushed him further down the pecking order.
The money from Hojlund’s sale could be used to strengthen other areas of the squad. Reports say Amorim is interested in signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton to boost the midfield.
There is also talk of bringing in a new goalkeeper to challenge Andre Onana. Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain has been linked, but Manchester City are believed to be leading the race for his signature.
Other players, including Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia, could also be sold after missing the club’s pre-season tour in the USA.
United’s new era under Ruben Amorim officially kicks off this Sunday, with a huge Premier League opener at Old Trafford against Arsenal.
For Ferdinand, this is the perfect moment to let Chido Obi shine. The message is simple: forget chasing another veteran striker and trust the next generation.
If Obi delivers on his early promise, he could become the story of United’s season, and maybe even the next superstar at Old Trafford.
