Rio Ferdinand believes that David Beckham could be a potential buyer in light of the news that the Glazer family is ready to sell Manchester United Football Club.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, the former defender argued that a consortium-backed offer for Beckham is far from beyond what is possible.
“Becks will come with a consortium,” he hinted. “I saw Becks last night at the game, I went to the England game and we sat next to each other.”
It is unclear if the likelihood of such an offer from the former England star was discussed, but Ferdinand certainly seemed to have given the matter some thought.
“When you mention someone like Becks’ name, he’s obviously a co-owner of Inter Miami, but he’s not coming alone. It’s not his money. It’s not him in terms of reaching into his pocket.
It comes with a consortium. It comes with people who have a lot of money who have the ability to go and execute a deal like that.
“So that’s the way he’s going to approach it, and rightly so. I just think it will come down to a number. If you have the number and you can produce, that’s what it will be about.”
Beckham has owned Inter Miami since its founding ahead of the 2020 MLS season, and overall the club has been on an upward curve under former United teammate Phil Neville.
Whether he would look to similarly instill former United staff in key positions if he were part of a MUFC takeover is unknown, but Rio Ferdinand believes such a move would only be good for the club.
“When you look at it, clubs that are successful for long periods of time have players who have worn the shirt, understand the traditions, understand the history, understand the spirit of the football club and carry on with that.
“Ajax with Edwin van der Sar, Bayern Munich have Rummenigge there, among others, Real Madrid, Barça, they all do it.
“They all have players who have been in and around the football club at some point in their life and are back working at the club because they get it. And it is a key piece.
“And then they have businessmen around them, to facilitate and manage things and control the commercial element of the football club.
“And then those people learn on the job, but with football experience. And I think that’s an area that potential new owners coming in need to really look at.”
While some fans would argue that a ‘jobs for the lads’ approach would be detrimental to the club’s future, Ferdinand highlights some good examples in his analysis. It’s certainly an approach that Sir Alex Ferguson has historically been a fan of.
But for Manchester United to compete with clubs like Manchester City, it is imperative that prospective owners value experience over familiarity.
The news that the Glazers are willing to sell and move on has naturally excited fans, but these next few months could shape the next few decades at Old Trafford.
