Rio Ferdinand has issued a public plea for Manchester United to pursue the signing of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, following a dramatic and chaotic 4-4 draw at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Ferdinand's Instant Social Media Reaction
The former United and England defender took to social media during the Premier League clash to make his transfer demand clear. After the club's official account posted about Semenyo's equalising goal, Ferdinand replied directly, writing: "Don’t let him leave after the game," accompanied by a crying laughing emoji.
His comment came after the Ghana international capitalised on a defensive error from Luke Shaw in the 40th minute. Semenyo raced through to find the bottom corner via the post, making the score 1-1 after United had dominated the early stages of an unforgettable match.
Semenyo's Rising Stock and Release Clause
The goal was Semenyo's seventh in the Premier League this season, continuing an impressive individual campaign. His form has inevitably attracted significant attention ahead of the January transfer window reopening.
Clubs including Liverpool and Manchester City are known to be aware of a £65 million release clause in the player's contract with Bournemouth. This hefty sum underscores the 25-year-old's rapidly increasing value in the market.
Ghana's national team coach, Otto Addo, has added to the speculation, telling The Athletic that a move away from the Vitality Stadium is a natural next step. "He has done very well at Bournemouth, but with all the respect for Bournemouth and what they’re doing, surely it is natural for him to take the next step," Addo said.
United's Summer Spending a Potential Obstacle
Despite Ferdinand's very public endorsement, a move to Old Trafford for Semenyo in the near future appears unlikely. The club invested over £200 million during the summer transfer window to secure attacking reinforcements in the form of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo.
This significant outlay makes another major expenditure on a forward in the January window seem improbable, potentially leaving Ferdinand disappointed. His enthusiasm, however, was not limited to Semenyo's performance. He was also full of praise for United's first-half display under manager Ruben Amorim, which saw them go into half-time 2-1 up thanks to goals from Amad Diallo and Casemiro.
Ferdinand described it as the "Best 45 minutes under Amorim at Old Trafford," highlighting the tempo, passing through the lines, and chances created, while also noting the assured performances of defenders Ayden Heaven and Lenny Yoro.
The final whistle confirmed a breathtaking 4-4 draw, but for Ferdinand, the lasting impression was the quality of the opposition's goalscorer, sparking an immediate and very public transfer recommendation.
