Transfer Centre

Rio Ferdinand tells Manchester United to target Jack Grealish over James Maddison

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 21 March 2020

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes that Jack Grealish would be a better signing for the club this summer than James Maddison.

Rio Ferdinand has urged former club Manchester United to focus on signing Jack Grealish ahead of James Maddison due to the Aston Villa midfielder's "arrogance".

Grealish and Leicester City ace Maddison have reportedly been identified as possible attacking options for United ahead of next season.

Maddison has six goals and three assists in the Premier League this term, compared to seven and six respectively for Grealish, and Ferdinand feels that the latter would suit the Red Devils more.

"Grealish or Maddison? That's a good question. They're both flying, both done unbelievably well over the last year," he said during a Q&A session on Instagram.

"They're very different players. Maddison is someone who can get the ball, he can pop it about. He gets goals, gets assists, sets up chances, he's sharp, he gets in good positions to create things. Very good footballer. I like him.

"Grealish does all of that but he has one thing over all these players we talk about in this position for England like Dele Alli, Maddison, Mason Mount in that position, that attacking... that can play off the striker, that can play as an attacking midfielder.

"Grealish can take people on. Grealish gets the ball, he can manipulate the ball, draw players to him... draw one/two players to him leaving space for someone else. That's what I like about Grealish. He's got that bit of arrogance as well. Knows he's a good player that's producing. He just edges it for me."

Check out Sports Mole's head-to-head comparison of the two players by clicking here.