Ferdinand backs Milan loan for Hojlund and Baleba bid

Rio Ferdinand pushes United to consider a loan for Hojlund to Milan and backs a high priced Baleba move.

Ferdinand backs bold United transfer push amid Hojlund loan talks

Rio Ferdinand urged Rasmus Hojlund to consider leaving Manchester United on loan to Milan, saying a fresh start in Italy could benefit the player and the club. He also noted that Milan would cover wages and a loan fee, a detail he frames as a way to ease United’s finances while they pursue additional signings.

Ferdinand then backed Manchester United’s audacious bid for Carlos Baleba from Brighton, describing the midfielder as a high ceiling talent who could bring a different dimension to the squad. He cautioned that Baleba would need development and integration, but argued the change is needed to push the team forward.

United have already spent close to £200m this window on Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, underscoring a season that begins with a blunt test of the club’s capacity to blend ambition with budget constraints.

The episode reveals a club trying to reboot quickly while managing financial risk. Ferdinand’s remarks spotlight a broader debate about chasing potential versus paying a premium for immediate impact. A successful balance could unlock a more dynamic attack, but failure to integrate new talent risks short term instability.

If United seal the Baleba deal and Hojlund finds a form conducive to Milan or a future return, the season could redefine how big clubs trade value for velocity. Critics may question whether youth and projection can substitute proven performance, especially if results lag while the bill climbs.

Highlights

The season will reveal whether these bets pay off.