Rio Ferdinand singles out THREE stars who Man United must sell this January – as he accuses the wantaways of creating a ‘cancerous, bad energy’

Rio Ferdinand has singled out three Manchester United stars who must be sold in January if the club are going to improve on their woeful start to the season.

United marked their worst league start for 131 years after losing 3-1 to Brighton on Sunday, prompting manager Ruben Amorim to label his team as the worst in the club’s history.

And after watching his former club slip to 13th in the Premier League over the weekend, Man United legend Ferdinand identified three stars who must be sold, accusing them of bringing a ‘cancerous, bad energy’ to the dressing room.

The players Ferdinand mentioned on his Rio Presents podcast were Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

Ferdinand said: ‘I think Antony’s going, someone said to me, Real Betis or somewhere like that. Just get them out man!

‘Sorry, no, I’m just being honest. The more these type of guys are around, where there’s just a bad noise, they all want to go, they’re all happy to go – let’s just get them out. Let’s start afresh.

‘You know what it’s like, if there’s people who are unsettled in there and it’s not going to plan and they’re not happy, it spreads. It’s like a cancerous, bad energy.’

Rashford, who is now one of the most senior members of Amorim’s squad after remaining at Old Trafford for over a decade, revealed that he was keen to move on from Manchester United in a bombshell interview earlier this month.

Rashford’s form has dropped off drastically in recent seasons, with the forward netting just 11 league goals from 48 appearances across the last two campaigns.

Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan have both expressed interest in the out-of-favour star in January, with a loan exit appearing the most likely outcome at this stage.

Meanwhile, Antony has proved a disaster at Old Trafford since his £86million move from Ajax in 2023, chalking up a mere 17 goal contributions from 96 appearances on the wing.

The Brazilian is nearing an exit also, however, with Real Betis closing in on a subsidised loan for the 24-year-old. 

He has not started a league game for United this season but has found himself being used off the bench by Amorim.

There were progressive talks between United and Betis over the move on Saturday, surrounding its financial structure.

The deal is expected to go through, as United are willing to cover part of Antony’s hefty wages, coming in at a whopping £200,000 per week.

The loan will last until June 2025 without a buy option included.

Malacia endured 18 months of injury hell before returning to the fold in November — but has yet to convince Amorim that he deserves a prolonged period in the team at left back.

Diogo Dalot, who specialises as a right back, has been utilised on the left side of defence over Malacia during Luke Shaw’s injury.

Amorim admitted that his Manchester United team are possibly the worst in the club’s history as they hit a new low at Old Trafford on Sunday.

‘We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,’ Amorim admitted. 

‘I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change it. Here you go: your headlines.

‘It’s unacceptable to lose so many games. For any Premier League club, so imagine Manchester United?

‘The opponents are better than us in many details. I am just here to help my players, but we need to understand we are breaking all the bad records.

‘In 10 games in the Premier League, we won two. I know that. Imagine what this is for a United fan. Imagine what this is for me. We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that.’

Amorim warned that the worst may be yet to come because he will not change his tactics.

‘I knew it was going to be hard to put a completely new idea in the moment, but when you lose games it becomes really hard,’ he added. ‘So that’s why I’m telling you we are going to suffer because I will continue to do the same. I am not going to change, no matter what.’

Amorim also criticised his players for losing discipline and shape towards the end of the game.

‘Everybody was changing position and that is something I will not see again. We can lose but we have to maintain position,’ he said.

‘We try to have possession and control the ball, but the players are anxious. This is not acceptable.

‘I know we can succeed but we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now.’