Ferdinand gives De Jong transfer theory with positive Man Utd "intentions"

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United still have a good chance of signing Frenkie de Jong or else they would've distanced themselves from the situation.

The Red Devils are trying to sign De Jong, 25. It's believed Barcelona are willing to accept United's offer but the Dutchman wants to stay in Spain. He previously played under new United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax between December 2017 and July 2019.

Despite the stalemate, Ferdinand thinks United still have a great chance of singing De Jong. Ten Hag desperately needs a new central midfielder after Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic were released by the Premier League club, joining Juventus and Roma respectively.

"If Man Utd had an inkling that he wasn't looking to come to Man Utd, I don't think they'd still be in the race," Ferdinand tells Mirror Football, courtesy of BT Sport. "I don't think they'd be in the conversation - they'd distance themselves straight away.

"The fact Man Utd haven't distanced themselves - and the relationship Erik ten Hag will have with Frenkie de Jong from their time together at Ajax - says to me the player still has the intentions to come to Man Utd.

"But the situation isn't as clear cut as that, as we can see. For me, it's not ideal. Man Utd have got a couple of problems going on at the moment in the transfer window. Man City and Liverpool, [it's been] plain sailing. They've got their business done, they're fine, they're working towards the start of the season from a much cleaner base."

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Speaking of City and Liverpool, Ferdinand believes they are still the teams to beat. Pep Guardiola's side finished one point clear of Jurgen Klopp's team in last term's Premier League title race. Remarkably, third-placed Chelsea finished 18 points behind the Reds.

"I think City will be the team to beat again," adds Ferdinand. "They've strengthened again, they've got [Erling] Haaland in and Kalvin Phillips. They've lost [Raheem] Sterling, yes, but they've got a deep squad still and players that can play multiple positions. And they've got the experience of winning. Liverpool will push them hard again."

Although Ferdinand doesn't think United have a chance of winning the Premier League, he does think they'll break back into the top four. The Red Devils finished sixth last season. City, Liverpool and Chelsea were joined in the top four by Antonio Conte's Tottenham.

Ferdinand continues: "A subplot to those two trying to win the league is between Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs - and possibly Arsenal - for those third and fourth spots. I think that's going to be a great race, as well.

"I'm sure someone from out of the pack will come up and jump into that area as well, like we saw with West Ham last season. It's going to be interesting. I think it [the top six in order] will go Man City, Liverpool, Spurs, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal."

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