Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has given his verdict on a “damning statement” made by Luke Shaw regarding some of his teammates.
Shaw’s statement
United enjoyed a good pre-season tour in the United States, with various reports emerging about the renewed optimism and positives vibes within the ranks.
Multiple journalists have come out claiming that there is an upbeat mood in the camp ahead of the new season, crediting Ruben Amorim with the transformation after a difficult 2024/25 season in which United finished a lowly 15th place in the Premier League.
As part of his plan to implement a change in attitude and culture at United, Amorim banished five players from the first team – the so-called ‘bomb squad’, consisting of Marcus Rashford (who has since joined Barcelona on loan), Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.
In addition to being instructed to train alone, the named players were left out of the club’s pre-season preparations to give them more time to search for new teams.
In a recent interview, Shaw hailed Amorim’s decision to exile the five stars, insisting that there are no longer any “stragglers” impeding the club’s progress.
Ferdinand reacts to Shaw’s comment
Reacting to Shaw’s remark, Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents podcast, “It was quite a damning statement, wasn’t it? When I heard that, I was like, ‘I wonder what the next meet-up is going to be like if he sees any of those guys.’”
“I think I’d have had something to say about that if I thought it was about me. Then you go, ‘Maybe they don’t say anything, because they might think and know it is true.’”
“But there’s a confidence in there with him that goes, ‘You know what? They know that I know what went wrong. So I can say this with my chest.’”
The six-time Premier League winner added, “That’s what it feels like. Also, the environment he is feeling now would have to be a positive one for him to come out and speak like that.”
“His stature within the squad, I noticed it while I was on tour. He has a very strong stature within the squad. He’s been there, I think, over 10 years now.”
“He has seen it all there. All the bad times, he’s seen it. He is one of the most experienced and most Manchester United players within that squad. So, I don’t think he has any qualms coming out like that.”
“I think you have to have seen enough to be able to go and talk like that. So I think it’s a strong statement. I don’t think there’s any two that he’s directed at those four players, because they are the ones sitting on the outside.”
Shaw and United are back in action on Saturday when they host Fiorentina at Old Trafford in their final pre-season game before the 2025/26 campaign kicks off.
Featured image Alex Pantling via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
