Rio Ferdinand is a big fan of Portugal international Renato Sanches and would have “dragged him by his hair” if given the opportunity to take the youngster to Manchester United.
The 19-year-old is among the most highly-rated talents in world football, with his potential having been spotted early after making the breakthrough at Benfica.
It was always going to be merely a matter of time before he moved on to bigger and better things, with Europe’s top clubs clamouring for his signature from the moment he burst onto the scene.
United were heavily linked with an approach as Sanches’s profile began to rise, with the Red
Devils having profited greatly from the Portuguese market in the past.
They were, however, unable to put an agreement in place and saw Bayern Munich surge to the front of the transfer queue.
The German giants put a deal in place towards the end of last season, and watched on with pride as their exciting acquisition shone in a Euro 2016-winning campaign with his country.
Ferdinand believes United missed a trick by allowing Sanches to slip through the net, with the all-action midfielder possessing many of the qualities that would have made him a star at Old Trafford.
“If I was a Man United scout, Renato Sanches would already be at the club,” he told A Bola.
“I’d have dragged him by his hair and said ‘let’s go!’
“Renato is a modern player: Aggressive, strong, powerful, got technique, can shoot and pass. I like him.
“He’s young, but takes responsibility.”
In October, Sanches became the first Portuguese player to lift the coveted Golden Boy award – edging out United forward Marcus Rashford in the vote.
He has been eased into life in Germany following a high-profile switch and early injury issues, and is yet to show his true colours at the Allianz Arena, but there is the promise of much more to come.
Bayern should be the ones to benefit from a player still some way from reaching his peak – having tied him to a five-year contract – leaving the likes of United to rue what could have been.
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