Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has called on the 20-time English champions to make a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The England international is expected to be at the centre of one of the biggest transfers of all time next summer.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are all believed to be keen on the 19-year-old, while Man United are said to be firmly in the race.
Bellingham has scored four times and registered two assists in 12 appearances for BVB this term and has captained them in their last two matches.
Ferdinand lavished praise on the midfielder following his goal and assist in Dortmund's 4-1 win over Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
© Reuters
"We said it as soon as we saw it, what he's doing in his position, at his age, we haven't seen. The best of our generation, [Frank] Lampard, [Steven] Gerrard, [Paul] Scholes, [Patrick] Vieira, Roy Keane, those guys weren't doing this," Ferdinand told BT Sport.
"I'm just saying that they weren't doing this. He's still got to go on and prove it and do it over a long period of time. But they weren't doing what he is doing right now. Influencing a game at this level, captaining a team at this level.
"He's the full package and mentally, this kid's a beast. No doubts about that. One thing you have to say about him, whoever gets him, one question that won't have to be answered is the temperament.
"When you're making big transfers, the temperament is the key thing you need to get right. This kid has already proved that his temperament is not even a question mark."
Ferdinand took to social media to urge Man United to make their move, tweeting a phone emoji.
☎️ @ManUtd https://t.co/FIEvNe5wbW
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 5, 2022
"It comes quite naturally, to be honest. My teammates around are so experienced, so they make it quite easy. They do the majority of the work and for me it's about trying to lead by example with my performance and everything else follows," Bellingham said when questioned on his captaincy role.
"But I play with such amazing people and players that it really makes it quite easy for me to just continue to do what I do. I'm just trying to help my team win. These nights I really enjoy it as you can see.
"Every time I step out I want to help Borussia Dortmund win the game and it helped tonight so I am really happy."
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Bellingham will have a "huge price tag" next summer, with suggestions that BVB could demand as much as £150m for the former Birmingham City youngster.
The Englishman has scored 14 goals and registered 20 assists in 102 appearances for his German club since making the move from Birmingham in July 2020.
Matt Law
