Rio Ferdinand Blasts Louis Van Gaal Over Three Manchester United Departures

Rio Ferdinand has criticised Louis van Gaal for selling three players during his time in charge at Manchester United, saying they were good 'United people' with 'good character.'

There were many issues with Van Gaal's time at United, despite finishing in the top four in his first season and winning the FA Cup in his second, just days before he was sacked, and player turnover was a big one.

In just two years at Old Trafford, the former Bayern Munich manager sold 10 first team players, whilst also spending over £300 million on incoming players.

Ferdinand believes of those 10 departures, which included Angel di Maria who is also part of the players Van Gaal signed, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Rafael never should have been sold.

"I thought we got rid of good people in Hernandez, Welbeck and Rafael," the six time Premier League winner said on his YouTube channel FIVE.

"They were good United people with character.

Welbeck scored against United on Sunday evening. Image: PA Images

"They wanted to play for Manchester United and knew what it meant. They wanted to win and they were part of that previous era that knew how to win.

"They could have carried that on and given it to other people. It was their turn and their chance to pass it on.

"But I thought Manchester United wasn't set up in the way that they probably are today. They wouldn't allow that to happen today."

Rafael was an extremely popular character at Old Trafford. Image: PA Images

Welbeck, who is fresh from scoring at Old Trafford for his second club since leaving United, was sold in Van Gaal's first summer for just £18 million to Arsenal.

The forward was replaced by Radamel Falcao, who joined on loan, with the Colombian scoring just four goals for the club.

The Brighton forward came in for specific praise from Ferdinand, with the former Leeds United defender adding, "Welbeck epitomised everything about Man United, he was hard-working and he understood what it meant to be a United player.

"He had quality, he could come in from being on the bench and score. He knew what it meant to be a squad player as well.When he was there to start, he produced the goods."

Rafael, who United didn't properly replace until Aaron Wan-Bissaka was signed, has previously claimed that life at United was 'sh*t' under Van Gaal.

Topics: Louis van Gaal, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Rio Ferdinand, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck

Ryan Sidle

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