Rio Ferdinand picks out one star Wayne Rooney missed in damning assessment of Man United’s squad after club legend claimed Red Devils should ‘get rid’ of most players and build around Bruno Fernandes

Rio Ferdinand has picked the player that former Manchester United and England team-mate Wayne Rooney missed when the legendary striker suggested the Red Devils should rebuild a new team around Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes is one of the few players at Old Trafford who managed to keep their reputation largely intact last season after an exhausting campaign for Erik ten Hag’s side.

The Portuguese captain has provided ten goals and eight assists so far this season, and although he has occasionally been criticized for his leadership and attitude, he has continued to lead the way by setting a sporting example on the pitch.

With United’s disappointing campaign coming to an end this week, Rooney had suggested: ‘You have to build the team around Bruno. He is of good quality and has fight in him, and then I think all the other players are left with it.’

Ferdinand has now revealed to Mail Sport that he largely agrees with Rooney’s damning assessment – just with one caveat.

Wayne Rooney (right) claimed the club had to sell almost all its players and rebuild around Fernandes

Rio Ferdinand spoke to Mail Sport at an event at Bluewater shopping center in front of the new Ballerz Dome

“I think that’s going to happen anyway, a lot of players are going to be in the market,” he told Mail Sport.

“Whether that happens or not, I don’t know, but for the players they have if they’re going to build around one of them, for me it would be Bruno – with Kobbie Mainoo too.”

Just like Fernandes, Mainoo has had a rare impressive campaign, growing from the youth academy to a prominent role in midfield under Ten Hag.

The pair have received plenty of acclaim this season, with the teenage midfielder even earning his first England cap and receiving enough support to go to the European Championships in Germany.

Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho have also had good moments, while Andre Onana and Harry Maguire have made some mistakes, but both have shown great mental strength to come back stronger and put in good performances.

Rooney was later quizzed on whether he would keep the likes of Onana, Dalot and Maguire, with the ex-England captain saying: ‘I think he (Onana) has had a shaky start but has gone from strength to strength over the year .

‘For me, Dalot has done well, Maguire has had a mixed season.

“To compete in this league, they need better players. Don’t get me wrong, these players are good players. But to compete with Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal they need better players.”

Kobbie Mainoo (left) has had a breakthrough season for the Red Devils and earned his England debut

Fernandes goes into the final game of the season with ten goals and eight assists for United

The multi-million pound dome provides facilities for the public to play football, watch matches and relax

Ferdinand spoke to Mail Sport at an event at Bluewater shopping center to launch the new multi-million pound Ballerz Dome – a 30,000 sq ft football dome.

The dome will house an immersive football experience and a 6-a-side 5G stadium-style pitch packed with technology, including instant goal replay, professional changing rooms, stadium-style seating and a players’ tunnel.

“It’s a space where you come and have fun playing football and doing a lot of different activities,” Ferdinand said of the facility.

‘There is a lot of space where you can play football, drop off and leave the children. There is a field here, but there is also a lot of technology behind it, and a lot of food and drink. You can watch a lot of matches!’

Ballerz will be open seven days a week from 8am to midnight from Saturday 18 May 2024, with bookings now live on www.ballerz.co.uk.

Visitors can pre-book 30 or 60 minute sessions in the Skillzone, as well as rent a private field, parties, events and training.