Rio Ferdinand has questioned whether Eduardo Camavinga is current the right type of player for Manchester United.
The French wonderkid is among Europe’s hottest properties and the Red Devils are heavily linked with him.
Rennes will be keen to keep hold of the 18-year-old amid mounting interest from the Premier League side, as well as PSG and Real Madrid.
United are closing in on the signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and Camavinga is rumoured to be next on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s summer shortlist.
Several young stars have moved to Old Trafford with Amad among those following his £40m switch from Atalanta.
The Ivorian’s potential is not in doubt but Solskjaer is keen to ease him into the first team picture gradually.
Ferdinand though is conscious that, with United looking to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool, they cannot play the long game and need to recruit players capable of influencing proceedings from minute one.
He told his official YouTube show ‘Vibe with Five’ : “I’ve not seen enough of him if I’m honest. I’ve seen a bit of him, his debut against PSG where he got man of the match, unreal.
“Talent? obviously. Is he going to come in and affect the team right now and become a star, or is he going to come in and be a bit like an Amad.
“Who comes in for £40m but is nowhere near the starting 11? Is that what we need?
“Or do we need someone like Declan Rice who is flying at the moment? In an England shirt, he’s taken it to other levels now. We all knew he was a good player at West Ham but what Declan Rice is doing in the England team right now, for his age, is a madness.
“Then it comes down to have Man United got the funds to go and get him from West Ham? What are they going to ask for West Ham?
“For me, I’ve got to be honest, football ability Camavinga, Rice are fantastic players. You can see the potential a mile off. But Rice brings you character.”
The teenager is represent by Jonathan Barnett, who also deals with Gareth Bale’s future.
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He admitted that Camavinga is not short of admirers as they plot their next move, but gave no guarantee that he would leave Rennes.
He told SNTV in May: “Believe me we have a lot of offers for this year, a lot of offers, and good ones. I mean top, top clubs. We don’t want to rush.
“There is the right time to move on and playing games is the most important thing at his age.
“Playing in a good club is nice for him. It might be this year, or he wants to have another year. He has got to talk to his family, his father.
“We will all sit down and decide. We will talk to Rennes as well and decide. There is no rush for him.
“He’s probably the best young player in the world. He has just turned 18. He has already been a French international. He’s an unbelievable talent.”
