RIO FERDINAND is adamant Manchester United would have been in a “different place” now if they had signed two superstars in 2023.
United have been unable to recapture the same magic they were enjoying for two decades under Sir Alex Ferguson since 2013 when the legendary manager retired.
In fact, Man Utd endured their worst ever Premier League campaign last season that saw them finishing 15th in the table.
And the Red Devils’ struggles continue this season as they are out of Europe and already out of the Carabao Cup after their shock elimination at the hands of League Two Grimsby.
United legend Ferdinand, 46, is certain his former club would have been in a far better place today if they hadn’t committed their “biggest mistake” of the last 10 years.
And that was missing out on Harry Kane and Declan Rice two years ago.
The iconic defender insists the England pair would have brought back glimpses of the Manchester giants’ glory years on and off the pitch as they would have created an “environment” with a winning mentality.
But Kane, 32, ended up leaving Tottenham for Bayern who splashed £104million and Rice swapped West Ham for Arsenal following a then Premier League record fee worth £105m.
Ferdinand explained on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “That’s the biggest mistake I think they’ve made in the last 10 years.
“I think if they go and pay the number that Spurs want, they would have got him [Kane].
“And if we’re to believe that, then I think if it didn’t happen because of a couple million here or there, I think it was a terrible decision.
“I honestly think, I’ll say this and I’m convinced, if United had gone and got Declan Rice and Harry Kane in that window, Man Utd are in a different place now.
“Because it goes back to the environment, those two drive an environment I think.”
Kane has averaged more than a league goal a game for the club since his £104million move from Tottenham Hotspur.
Rice, meanwhile, is one of the first names on the Arsenal, and England, team-sheet and is still adored by West Ham fans despite that exit.
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