"Has been a joke this season" - Rio Ferdinand says he'd love to have player like Arsenal superstar at Manchester United

Pundit Rio Ferdinand has claimed that he would love to have Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka at Manchester United. The England international has been in fantastic form for the Gunners this season and helped his side secure a huge win against the Red Devils on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta's side beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool to seven points. While Bukayo Saka did not score or assist against the Red Devils, the 23-year-old certainly impressed Rio Ferdinand.

Ferdinand has lauded Saka for how well he has performed this campaign and admitted that he would love to have the Arsenal forward at Manchester United. The former England international said, as quoted by TBR Football:

“I have to jump in there, Saka has been a joke this season, he’s been a joke, he’s outstanding. He was quiet against us, but if Saka is quiet in the game Malacia must have done well. Saka, his game is evolving every single time you see him. Every year, every week, every month, every year."

The pundit added:

"Last year I was saying he’s a bit one-dimensional always going inside the pitch, against us two of his best moments were outside on his right foot creating havoc. I’d love to have a player like that at Man United, I’d go as far as to say that.”

Saka has scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 19 appearances across competitions this season. Having come through Arsenal's youth ranks, he has already made 245 appearances for the Gunners till date, bagging 65 goals and 61 assists.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responds to Manchester United legend labelling them as 'new Stoke City'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov comparing them to Stoke City. The Gunners scored from two corners to secure a 2-0 win against the Red Devils on Wednesday, December 4.

Dimitar Berbatov called Arsenal the "new Stoke City" for how dangerous they look from set-piece situations. Stoke City, under Tony Pulis, made a name for themselves for their ability to make the most of set-pieces.

Mikel Arteta has claimed that he takes the Manchester United icon's comparisons to Stoke City in a positive way. He said, as quoted by football.london:

"I understood very well what Berbatov said. We take it as a big compliment because Stoke were so good at it. We want to be the kings of everything. In corners, best in the world. In open play, the best in the world."

He added:

“Before, [the accusation] was we didn’t score enough, we didn’t challenge, we didn’t win big games for 20 years. We want to be the best of the best.”

Arsenal have scored 22 goals from corners since the start of the 2023-24 season, which is the highest in Europe (as per Opta via BBC Sport). They travel to Craven Cottage on Sunday, December 8, to take on Marco Silva's Fulham.