Rio Ferdinand has named three Manchester United stars who must be sold in January if the club is to improve their woeful start to the season.
United marked their worst league start in 131 years after losing 3-1 to Brighton on Sunday, prompting manager Ruben Amorim to label his team the worst in the club's history.
And after watching his former club drop to 13th in the Premier League over the weekend, Man United legend Ferdinand identified three stars who must be sold, accusing them of bringing a “cancerous bad energy” to the dressing room.
The players Ferdinand mentioned on his Rio Presents podcast were Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
Ferdinand said: “I think Antony is going, someone told me, to Real Betis or somewhere like that.” Just get 'em out, man!
'Sorry, no, I'm just being honest. The more there are these kinds of guys, where there is a bad noise, everyone wants to leave, everyone is happy to leave, let's just get them out. Let's start again.
Rio Ferdinand highlighted three Man United stars that the Club should sell in January
Rubén Amorim described his Manchester United as the “worst team in the club's history”
'You know what it is, if there are people who are restless there and are not going to plan and are not happy, that spreads. “It’s like a bad, cancerous energy.”
Rashford, who is now one of the most important members of Amorim's squad after staying at Old Trafford for more than a decade, revealed he was looking forward to leaving Manchester United in an explosive interview earlier this month.
Rashford's form has dropped dramatically in recent seasons, with the striker scoring just 11 league goals in 48 appearances over the last two campaigns.
Both Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan expressed interest in the fallen star in January, and a loan exit seems the most likely outcome at this stage.
Antony, meanwhile, has proven to be a disaster at Old Trafford since his £86million move from Ajax in 2023, scoring just 17 goal contributions in 96 appearances at full-back.
However, the Brazilian is also approaching his exit: Real Betis are closing in on a subsidized loan for the 24-year-old.
He has not started any league games for United this season, but Amorim has used him from the bench.
On Saturday there were progressive talks between United and Betis about the move around their financial structure.
Kaoru Mitoma scored the second goal as Brighton beat United 3-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ferdinand claimed that people like Marcus Rashford (right) are bringing “bad, cancerous energy.”
The deal is expected to go through with United willing to cover some of Antony's hefty wages, which amount to a whopping £200,000 a week.
The loan will have a duration until June 2025 without a purchase option included.
Malacia endured 18 months of injuries before returning to the fold in November, but has yet to convince Amorim that he deserves an extended spell in the team at left-back.
Diogo Dalot, who specializes as a right back, has been used on the left side of the defense against Malacia during Luke Shaw's injury.
Amorim admitted his Manchester United team is possibly the worst in the club's history as they hit a new low at Old Trafford on Sunday.
“We are perhaps the worst team in Manchester United's history,” Amorim admitted.
'I say this because we have to recognize it and change it. Here you go: your headlines.
“It is unacceptable to lose so many games. For any Premier League club, can you imagine Manchester United?
Tyrell Malacia has yet to convince Amorim that he deserves an extended spell in the team
Real Betis are closing in on a deal with Manchester United to sign £86million flop Antony on loan.
'The rivals are better than us in many details. I am only here to help my players, but we must understand that we are breaking all the bad records.
“In 10 Premier League games we won two. I know that. Imagine what this is like for a United fan. Imagine what this is for me. We get a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I am fully aware of it.'
Amorim warned that the worst may be yet to come because he will not change his tactics.
“I knew it was going to be difficult to come up with a completely new idea right now, but when you lose games it becomes really difficult,” he added. 'That's why I tell you that we are going to suffer because I will continue doing the same thing. I'm not going to change, no matter what.'
Amorim also criticized his players for losing discipline and form towards the end of the match.
'Everyone was changing positions and that's something I won't see again. “We can lose but we have to maintain our position,” he said.
“We try to have possession and control the ball, but the players are anxious. This is not acceptable.
'I know we can be successful, but we have to survive this moment. I'm not naive. We need to survive now.”