Manchester United have reportedly been linked with a move for ever-present Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Ronald Araujo is reportedly unsure about his long-term future at Barcelona, and he has been linked with an exit. However, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged him (h/t Daily Mirror) to steer clear of a move to Old Trafford.
Manchester United are going through a bit of a crisis right now, and Ferdinand believes that a move to Old Trafford would not be ideal for the 24-year-old central defender. It is no secret that Manchester United need to bring in defensive reinforcements, and Ronald Araujo has emerged as a target.
The Uruguayan international would be a sensational acquisition for them. That 24-year-old is one of the best defenders in La Liga, and he has all the attributes to develop into a world-class player. Players like Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane have been linked with moves away from Manchester United, and the Premier League club will need to bring in quality replacements.
The Barcelona mainstay can be the ideal option for them, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops. Ferdinand believes that most players have regressed after joining Manchester United in recent months, and a move to Old Trafford will not be right for Araujo’s career.
“I’d be looking at Varane and going if he can go to Manchester United and get benched for a left-back, or for an old veteran like Jonny Evans an ex-player who has come back for his twilight years and someone who used to be captain who was left out for 18 months but is back in form now and is playing, I can’t go there and risk my life and risk my career.:
“If you look at it, what player has gone to Man United and got better? Varane has gotten worse, and Casemiro has gone backwards now. You’d get good money for Bruno still, he’s the only one.”
“Wan-Bissaka you aren’t getting £50million for, they aren’t getting what they paid for Dalot. I could go through them all. Garnacho has got value now, but I don’t know who comes in? Would you get the same money for Hojlund now? No! Sancho? No! I could keep going if you want. Van de Beek?”.
The 24-year-old should look to join a club capable of competing at the highest level if he leaves Barcelona. Manchester United are lacking in stability right now with many players facing uncertain features at the club.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag is under a lot of pressure as well and the Dutchman could easily find himself out of a job if the results do not improve quickly. It will be interesting to see where the Barcelona defender ends up eventually. He is versatile enough to operate as a centre-back as well as a right-back.
He has the quality to succeed in the Premier League, and he could have developed into a top-class player for Manchester United. However, the Red Devils are struggling right now and unless they manage to secure Champions League qualification, they will not be in a position to attract elite talents like the Barcelona mainstay.
