Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has sent messages across to the duo of Alexis Sanchez and Philippe Coutinho, asking both talented players to show character following their failed moves away from their respective clubs this summer.
Chilean international Alexis Sanchez was very much linked with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City during the summer and seemed to be on his way to the Etihad Stadium on deadline day for a deal worth £70million. However, it is understood that the Citizens were not interested in fulfilling Arsenal’s demands of including Raheem Sterling in the deal for the former Barcelona man.
Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho, on the other hand, was being linked with a big-money move to La Liga heavyweights Barcelona all summer, with the player himself interested in moving to Camp Nou after submitting a transfer request to Liverpool during the summer transfer window. However, the Reds rejected several big offers for the former Inter Milan star and he will remain with the Merseyside club for the 2017/18 season.
And Man United legend Rio, when recently asked how team-mates react to failed moves, said it all boils down to how the player comes back to act professionally at the training ground.
Ferdinand made it known that a player who failed to complete a move away from their club during the transfer window is expected to return back to his side and give the assurance of 100% commitment from them – which will make their teammates respect them until the day they eventually leave.
But if there’s negativity around and such a player is not giving his all to his current club, according to Rio, “the players will sniff it and they will wean that guy out.”.
