David Luiz has laid out Erik ten Hag's task when ex-teammate Adrien Rabiot eventually signs for Manchester United.
The Red Devils have struck a £15million agreement with Juventus to sign the French midfielder, who Luiz played alongside at Paris Saint-Germain. And while Old Trafford chiefs negotiate personal terms with his mother and agent, Veronique - infamous for her fierce temper and involvement in bust-ups - former United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed what Ten Hag will need to overcome in order to get the best out of his fourth signing as Red Devils boss, after failing to secure top target Frenkie de Jong.
According to Ferdinand, Luiz opened up to him about Rabiot's difficult personality amid long-standing claims of an attitude problem. That's despite the France international representing two of Europe's biggest clubs in a career which has seen him win a whopping 22 trophies since making his senior debut for PSG a decade ago.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, FIVE, Ferdinand recalled: "I interviewed David Luiz when he was at PSG and Rabiot was still there and he said, 'Rio, one of the most talented players here is Rabiot.
"But he just needs to get himself right, get his mindset right, his attitude right. If he gets that right he could be unplayable, unstoppable'. He hasn't got to those heights that someone like David Luiz was expecting in terms of ability yet – but could this be the move that does that for him?"
Although Rabiot hasn't made the grade at Juventus under three different managers - Maurizio Sarri, Andrea Pirlo and Massimiliano Allegri - it's undeniable that the 27-year-old possesses the natural talent required to be a world-class midfielder and could finally fulfil his potential under Ten Hag.
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However, Ferdinand is still hesitant to get excited about the impending transfer, slamming United's transfer policy and labelling the move "a risk." "This is a reactive move," the six-time Premier League winner bemoaned. "This is the second, third or fourth option for Manchester United and this isn't what we're about.
"Normally Man United have a couple of options and say, 'This is the player we want' and back in the day we go and get him. Doesn't matter who else is at the table, but it just shows you how things have changed. Rabiot coming in, I don't think it's as gloomy as everyone thinks. He adds quality, whether he ups the levels on what we've got remains to be seen."
Ferdinand added: "There's no doubting that Rabiot is a seriously talented footballer. Great left foot, brilliant at carrying the ball and dribbling and taking the ball under pressure, can pass – very well over short distances especially. The position Man United probably see playing him is one of the holding players, or an eight. My biggest concern with that is that, if he's going to be an eight, he doesn't score enough goals.
"I think [Scott] McTominay has got more goals over the last couple of seasons than him and he doesn't get enough either. So will the fanbase be happy? Given that they've been going for Frenkie de Jong, Rabiot is obviously the second, third or fourth option. They've been waiting for the Frenkie de Jong situation to change and it hasn't so this is a reactive signing.
"They thought they were getting Frenkie de Jong, 'No, we ain't getting him, we better go for someone else, who's available?' And it's not always the best case scenario when that happens. I think it will be a risk. I don't see the fee being much more than £20m, in today's market it's cheap considering.
"But at the same time, the biggest concern is: is he right for Manchester United? Is he going to make us a team that's going to challenge stronger for Champions League positions? I don't know. He's played a lot of games for Juventus recently, he was at Paris Saint-Germain, he's a France international. But for me he's obviously a step down from Frenkie de Jong."
