Rio Ferdinand reacts to Man United choosing Senne Lammens over Emi Martinez, ‘I’d go with…’

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Rio Ferdinand has given his verdict on Manchester United signing Senne Lammens over Emi Martinez.

Manchester United officially confirmed that Senne Lammens had joined the club on Monday evening, with the Belgian putting pen to paper at Old Trafford on a five-year contract.

Lammens was preferred over Emi Martinez at United, who instead won’t be going anywhere. Martinez will have to make up with Unai Emery at Villa Park.

But did Manchester United make the right choice? Club legend Rio Ferdinand has his say.

Rio Ferdinand on Senne Lammens and Emi Martinez amid Man Utd transfers

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand spoke about the Manchester United goalkeeper situation. Ferdinand explained he was “all in” on Martinez, but agrees he needs to give Lammens a chance.

He said, “Yeah, I’m hearing he’s [Lammens] got huge potential. What I would say is, I was all in on Emi Martinez because I just think that his experience – he’s got the personality, he’s got the character, he plays for Argentina where the pressure is absolutely immense, has won a World Cup, and was one of the major reasons they won the World Cup, saving the final – big moments, man.

“Man United need as much personality as they need ability coming through that door, and I think he fits the bill in that sense completely.

“I think it’s an area where, at the moment, there isn’t much confidence in the building at all.

“You look at him overall, though, I think he’s been solid for Aston Villa when he’s been there. Like, you -you go there, I’ve been – you wouldn’t have gone obviously because you don’t support him, but I’ve gone and worked games at Aston Villa.

“He’s a cult hero down that place, man. I think he’d be a cult hero at Old Trafford because he is – he’s off his nut, right? And I got a lot of time for players that are off their nut.”

Rio Ferdinand ultimately wanted Emi Martinez

Overall, Ferdinand alluded that he would have liked to have seen Martinez join United.

“So, like, Emi Martinez – and people are going, “he’s got the profile”, he’s the right age. Like, these goalkeepers, they play till they’re 40 years old. It’s different now.

“So you’re getting a mature, ready-made, Premier League-ready goalkeeper. No, it’s true. I’d go with that.”

Ferdinand also revealed Thibaut Courtois’ thoughts on Lammens, which was a nice treat to hear for Red Devils supporters.

Despite Martinez being the better option now, it doesn’t say what Lammens could be in the future.

It’s also worth noting that this was when Lammens hadn’t been confirmed, so Rio may have been secretly hoping for a late push on the Aston Villa star.