Not many, if any at all, of the Manchester United players came out of Sunday's humbling derby defeat to bitter rivals Man City with much credit.
14.09.2022 - 00:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Former West Ham and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole says Rio Ferdinand’s Premier League titles put him ahead of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in the list of all-time greats.
The England centre-half won the league six times during his career, also lifting a Champions League, a Club World Cup and three League Cups in his 455 Reds appearances. Van Dijk lifted his sole Premier League crown with Liverpool in 2020, also holding a Champions League and a Club World Cup winner’s medal.
The Dutch defender has been compared to the greats of the English game since growing into a world-class talent at Anfield. He’s been touted as the best centre-back in world football when he is on top form.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand explains how Erik ten Hag has improved Manchester United
However, Cole thinks the comparisons made between the Dutchman and Ferdinand are a little off. Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, he explained: “Van Dijk’s got a long way to go until he gets close to Rio.
“That is with the most respect to Van Dijk who I think is the best around at the moment but he needs to win multiple league titles. I think centre-halves can get judged on what they win and the teams they play in but he needs to win multiple things.”
Former United defender Ferdinand spoke to Van Dijk in May for BT Sport when the Liverpool No.4 revealed his top five Premier League centre-backs of all time. Top of the pile was Ferdinand himself with ex-Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany second. Jaap Stam followed in third while John Terry and Sami Hyypia completed the list.
Van Dijk made Ferdinand’s list too, coming at third with United legend Nemanja Vidic second and himself first. Stam and Terry also made his selections.
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Manchester United news
Not many, if any at all, of the Manchester United players came out of Sunday's humbling derby defeat to bitter rivals Man City with much credit.
These are your latest Manchester City evening headlines on Friday, September 30.
Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand admits he might be following his heart rather than his head when predicting what will happen during the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon (2pm).
Former Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has heaped praised on United's Lisandro Martinez ahead of Sunday's derby.
Gary Neville says he would concede changing the name of Old Trafford if it meant there would be a change of ownership at Manchester United.
Rio Ferdinand says he sympathises with Harry Maguire following a below-par performance for England in their 3-3 Nations League draw with Germany on Monday evening.
Former Manchester United centre-back Wes Brown has suggested that Jadon Sancho should be included in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar – if he can continue his good form so far this season.
Scott McTominay has already been told what he must improve next at Manchester United.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has explained the key difference between Wayne Rooney and Manchester City's Erling Haaland after the Blues' Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has explained what Jack Grealish needs to do at Manchester City to silence his critics.
Former Chelsea player Joe Cole has claimed that Manchester United will be "kicking themselves" after Thomas Tuchel's recent departure from his former club.
Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has admitted he wanted to bring Sir Alex Ferguson to Highbury before the Gunners opted for George Graham.