Rio Ferdinand claims Arteta would 100 per cent leave Arsenal for Man Utd

Rio Ferdinand feels sorry for Mikel Arteta

Arteta’s potential move to Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand, former Manchester United defender, has ignited speculation by suggesting that Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, would readily ditch the Gunners for a chance to helm the Red Devils.

Despite Arteta’s successful stint at Arsenal, Ferdinand believes he would seize the opportunity to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

“Arteta would leave Arsenal to come to Man United, 100 per cent,” he said on FIVE.

“No-one is saying it’s happening, but if Man United, in their wildest dreams, said ‘do you know what, Erik ten Hag, thank you’, or Erik ten Hag has been poached by Bayern Munich and he goes there, and Man United say ‘right, top of our list, Mikel Arteta’, Arteta is going in [to Arsenal] and saying ‘listen lads, it’s been emotional, but I’ve got to move and got to go’.”

Under Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal has surged into the Premier League title contention, trailing just behind Liverpool and Manchester City.

However, Ferdinand contends that the allure of managing a club like Manchester United could sway Arteta’s loyalty.

The rumors gained traction as Ten Hag faces mounting pressure at United following the entry of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team. With Arteta’s contract expiring in 2025, Ferdinand’s remarks have intensified speculation about a potential switch to Manchester.

Although Arteta has expressed contentment with Arsenal, Ferdinand’s assertion hints at the volatile nature of managerial positions in top-flight football.

Speaking in January after reports in Spain linked him with the Barcelona job when Xavi Hernandez steps down in the summer, Arteta said: “That’s totally fake news. What you read yesterday… I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.

“I could not believe it. I don’t know where it is coming from and it has no source. It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things to put it in the way it was put yesterday.

“I am in the right place. I am with the right people. I feel really good about it. And, as I said many times, I am invested in a beautiful journey with this football club, with these players, these staff, our people, and there is still a lot, a lot to do.

“We all share that ambition and you can feel it as well, that we want more, that we aren’t satisfied and that the club wants to take another push and another level in everything we are doing, this is where we are. We need everyone on board to achieve it and I am certainly on board.”

Asked about his contractual situation, he added: “I think I have got a strong relationship with the board, with Edu, with Tim, with the ownership and things come in a natural way. We have always done that way and it worked out really well. And when the time is right we will have those discussions and think about the best way to do it.”

As the Premier League title race heats up and Arsenal’s Champions League campaign progresses, Arteta’s future remains a subject of intrigue, especially amidst Ferdinand’s provocative comments.

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