Rio Ferdinand says Manchester United would be interested in signing Raheem Sterling should the forward’s “baffling” treatment at Ma City continues.
Sterling started in City’s 0-0 draw with Southampton at the weekend, having an injury-time winner ruled out for a narrow offside, being fielded as a central striker for the game in a frustrating display at the Etihad Stadium.
The England international – who has two years to run on his current – has found regular football hard to come by after last season losing his place in the City lineup to Phil Foden before £100million signing Jack Grealish occupied the left-wing role so far this term.
Ferdinand believes Sterling’s poor form is down to a lack of confidence after losing his place in the team, having for so long been the focal point at City, and expects a number of Europe’s top clubs to be monitoring the situation – including Manchester United.
“Where’s Raheem Sterling? He’s lost confidence because he’s been taken out of the team,” Ferdinand told his podcast Vibe with Five.
“He was the go-to guy when they needed a goal, for so many years, and now all of a sudden he’s in the wilderness.
“I’m baffled by it, I just don’t understand. With Pep, he gets things right more often than not, but with this one there must be clubs sitting there going ‘let’s see how this pans out because I would take Sterling all day!'”
He added: “If I’m Liverpool, I’d buy Sterling tomorrow … If I’m him, I wouldn’t go to Barcelona or Real Madrid right now, that’s why I said Liverpool … Man United will take him!”
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
