Could this be the end for Rio Ferdinand?

I have heard inklings from certain media outlets seeming to suggest that they think this may be the last season for Rio Ferdinand. If it does turn out to be true, who would be the best to replace him?

I’m not sure whether it’s the case that Rio is done altogether, or maybe it’s time his squad role should be reduced. If the latter does happen, I don’t think anyone could replace him internally, especially when Phil Jones seems too versatile for his own good and therefore can’t play in his own position due to him always being needed to cover right-back. Either that or plug the constant hole in midfield.

I don’t think Chris Smalling has proven he could fill the gap that Ferdinand may leave, either. He seems to cope okay with the Premier League, but can be subject to some embarrassing clumsiness and always seems to be recovering from a long-term injury. Maybe Jonny Evans if you United were really desperate for an internal fix at centre-back, but has major concentration issues if you ask me.

I think only one player can emulate what Rio Ferdinand brings to Manchester United and has already been linked to them before - Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund. He is technically superb, much like Rio who has become more of a ball playing defender in his later years, whereas Mats is just as good, if not better but also ten years younger.

With a mass exodus of players seeming to be leaving Dortmund - with Gotze gone to Bayern last year and Lewandowski confirming he will be leaving to join Bayern, also. So maybe it may seem Dortmund could be a sinking ship and it’s time to get out for Hummels, so could be persuaded to leave next season.

With just over one hundred and fifty appearances for Dortmund and thirteen goals, he won’t join his fellow teammates to Bayern Munich as he has already been there and was even a product of the youth academy of Bayern.

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