‘You have to leave NOW!’: Rio Ferdinand tells Harry Maguire to push for a swift Man United exit

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United captain Harry Maguire to leave the club immediately, insisting the England centre-back has been ‘disrespected’ by club manager Erik ten Hag.

Ferdinand is recognised as one of United’s legendary defenders, making 455 appearances for the Premier League giants and winning every major club honour during his trophy-laden 12 year stint at Old Trafford.

The outspoken 44-year-old has now told Maguire to look for an exit out of Manchester during the January transfer window, highlighting Luke Shaw’s selection at centre-back over the Three Lions star as a justifiable reason for Maguire to demand a move. 

Harry Maguire has been urged to leave Manchester United by former defender Rio Ferdinand

United captain Maguire (centre) has fallen down the pecking order at the club

Maguire (left) has played a bit-part role since returning from the World Cup with England

Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand outlined the actions he would have taken if in the outcast star’s boots, saying: ‘Luke Shaw’s playing centre-back instead of him.

‘That’s like me going back after the World Cup, playing well, everyone saying he’s done really well, and Patrice Evra is playing centre-back.

‘I’d want to strangle Patrice! I would’ve smashed Patrice in training to make sure he’s not available, and I’d be going to the manager and saying, ‘are you taking the piss out of me, boss?’. I’d have walked straight into the manager’s office and said, ‘you’re disrespecting me’.

United full-back Luke Shaw (right) has been preferred over Maguire (left) in recent games

Shaw (red) has impressed during recent stints at centre-back with the Old Trafford club

‘Harry Maguire’s got to move. I think he stays because of the games and they can’t get someone else in. He plays in the cup games.’

The 29-year-old put club woes behind him to produce a run of impressive performances during England’s 2022 World Cup campaign that saw Gareth Southgate’s side eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

Maguire has made just seven Premier League appearances for Man United so far this season

His post-World Cup return to Manchester was expected to mark the revival of his career after a turbulent start to the season with Raphael Varane and Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez preferred by Ten Hag.

However, impressive performances in the Middle East don’t appear to have done enough to change the thinking of United’s Dutch decision-maker, with the Red Devils playing left-back Shaw in central defence while Maguire instead is left to slump on the bench.

Ferdinand outlined the actions that Maguire should take to leave the club in January

Having arrived at the Theatre of Dreams on a six-year contract for £80million in 2019, Maguire was handed the club captaincy and was viewed by many as the defender needed to change United’s defensive fortunes.

Little more than three years into his deal, it appears Maguire’s time at the famous club could soon be brought to a premature end.