MX23RW : Thursday, July 4 23:45:50| >> :60:163:163:

Rio Ferdinand fears Manchester United have missed out on Gabriel Martinelli

Ferdinand heaps praise on Gabriel Martinelli
© Reuters
Club legend Rio Ferdinand suggests that Manchester United made a mistake in not signing Gabriel Martinelli, now at Arsenal, when they had the chance three years ago.

Club legend Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli, a player whom Manchester United could have signed three years ago.

In his first campaign at the Emirates Stadium, the 18-year-old has contributed 10 goals from just 15 starts and 11 substitute outings in all competitions.

Ferdinand has been left hugely impressed by the teenager, who failed to earn a deal with United during his youth days having been provided with a trial period at the club.

During a Q&A session on Instagram, Ferdinand said: "I watched him against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He is a proper player, I think he is going to be a player in world football in years to come.

"Eighteen years old doing what he is doing. The goal against Chelsea alone, he runs from the edge of his box, set piece against his team takes it up the other end. Normally your legs are gone by then and you've got no energy, he has got the composure to slot it.

"Great player, but his awareness of how he plays, the way he moves on the pitch, the way he is intelligent to receive the ball. He comes inside at the right times, it is mad, he is a mature player for such a young kid. He needs to play next year, I think [Mikel] Arteta is going to find a way to get him in there."

The Brazilian prospect has recently been linked with a future transfer to Real Madrid.

ID:394036: cacheID:394036:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2348:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli in action with Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi on January 21, 2020
Read Next:
Gabriel Martinelli vows to become Arsenal legend
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!