Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has lashed out at the club for not signing Arsenal star Thomas Partey in the summer window.
Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, as relayed by The Sun, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has expressed his frustration over the club not signing Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey in the summer.
The 26-year-old Partey grew into one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe during his time at Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. The Ghanaian international left the Rojiblancos this past summer, joining Manchester United’s arch-rivals Arsenal in a deal worth £45 million on the transfer deadline day.
Since joining the Gunners, Partey has made quite an impact. The midfielder has quickly established himself as one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s teamsheet and put in a masterful performance in the middle as Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford this past weekend.
After his former team had been on the receiving end of Partey’s brilliance, Ferdinand lamented that Manchester United did not make a move for the Ghanaian, even though he had been urging the Red Devils to sign him up last season.
Thomas Partey for Arsenal vs. Man Utd:
⬢ Most touches
⬢ Most duels won
⬢ Most ball recoveries
⬢ Most take-ons completed
⬡ 2nd-most tackles madeA midfield masterclass. ? pic.twitter.com/AphLIwztxm
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 1, 2020
“Partey – what?! I said a while ago back in April or before that when I was talking about who United should buy – that was my guy,” the former England international said.
Ferdinand is not the only ex-Manchester United star who has been waxing a lyrical over the midfielder’s impact. Former Red Devils star Paul Scholes was profuse in his praise of Partey following Arsenal’s win this past weekend, while Roy Keane went a step further and compared him to Gunners’ legend Patrick Vieira.
“The more I watch him, the more I wish he was in the Man United midfield. I think this kid has got a chance of matching what Patrick [Vieira] used to do,” the former Manchester United skipper said after the match.
While Partey stole the show at the Theatre of Dreams, Manchester United’s midfield superstar Paul Pogba floundered once again at the weekend, whereas the Red Devils’ marquee summer signing Donny van de Beek watched on from the sidelines.
It is still early days for the Ghanaian at Arsenal, but going by his performances so far, Arsenal certainly seem to have struck gold with his signing.
