Rio Ferdinand has slammed the Glazer family for passing on a deal to sign Cody Gakpo in the summer - just months after he branded them as "disrespectful" following Manchester United's abysmal start to the season.
Gakpo was on Erik ten Hag's radar following his arrival at Old Trafford in the summer and was believed to be available for a sum of around £30million. United instead pressed ahead with a deal worth an estimated £85.5m to bring Brazilian winger Antony to the club; although it has since been revealed that the club have retained an interest in Gakpo.
The PSV Eindhoven star has been one of the stars of the World Cup, plundering three goals in as many games for the Netherlands. And Ferdinand has now bemoaned the fact that United are now likely to end up paying a premium price for Gakpo if they do decide to rekindle their interest in the coveted 23-year-old.
"Man United's next signing [Gakpo] who we probably could have had for £25m – £30m before the tournament who is now probably doubled," Ferdinand said in his latest Vibe with FIVE YouTube video.
"The numbers that are going to be spoken about after this tournament are going to be… [even] if he does nothing from this point on he's doubled minimum in value, wages and the transfer fee. He's got three goals in the World Cup. With Ronaldo leaving, wow. Man United need new owners now."
Ferdinand's remarks come just months after he slammed the club's American owners for their shoddy communication back earlier this year. At the time, the club had struggled to sign new players for Ten Hag and had just been thrashed 4-0 by Brentford.
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Speaking back in August, Ferdinand fumed: "This isn't like a normal business, this is a football club with heritage, with history, with character, with personality, real people involved. So, treat it like that.
"They need to come here and communicate. Communication is one of the key components to being successful, from the top down. They're not communicating with the fans, they're not communicating with the people, no one knows where they are, they can't put a face to it. I think that's disrespectful, and I think it's out of order.
"They need to come here and put themselves right at the front and start shouldering some of this blame. Because they are allowing other people to take the blame and they are intrinsic in what goes on at this football club - good or bad."
The Glazers have since announced that Manchester United is on the market, with reports this week suggesting that a full-scale takeover of the club could even be finalised before the end of the season.
