Rio Ferdinand regrets Manchester United’s failure to sign Ayoub Bouaddi after Manchester City move

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his disappointment at his former club’s failure to sign Moroccan midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi, who has since joined rivals Manchester City.

Ferdinand believes United missed an opportunity to secure one of the most promising midfield talents, praising Bouaddi’s technical ability, composure under pressure and potential to reach the highest level of the game.

Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former England international revealed that Manchester United were seriously interested in signing the youngster but were unable to reach an agreement with his former club, Lille, over the transfer fee.

“Manchester United were 100 percent interested in him, but the fee required was just too high,” Ferdinand said.

The former defender admitted he was frustrated that United could not complete the deal, particularly after watching Bouaddi demonstrate his quality in high-pressure European competition.

Ferdinand was especially impressed by the Moroccan’s performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, highlighting the confidence and composure he displayed after coming off the bench.

Despite the result not going in his team’s favour, Bouaddi’s ability to handle the intensity of the encounter left a strong impression on Ferdinand, who believes the midfielder possesses the attributes required to become an elite player.

“I can’t believe we let him slip away. I’m really disappointed; he possesses such great composure under pressure,” Ferdinand added.

The former Manchester United centre-back also highlighted Bouaddi’s long-term potential, suggesting that the midfielder could develop into a player capable of surpassing established names such as Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez.

His assessment underlines the growing expectations surrounding the Moroccan international, whose combination of technical quality, maturity and calmness has attracted attention from some of Europe’s leading clubs.

Bouaddi has continued working to establish himself within Manchester City’s squad under manager Enzo Maresca after completing a reported €100 million move during the summer transfer window.

The midfielder’s progress has been encouraging, with his first Premier League start coming against Ipswich Town last Saturday in a 3-2 victory for City.

That opportunity represented an important step in his adaptation to English football and could strengthen his chances of securing a regular role as the season progresses.

For Manchester United, Ferdinand’s comments reflect the frustration of missing out on a player he believes has the potential to become one of the leading midfielders in the game.

Bouaddi, meanwhile, will be focused on making the most of his opportunity at Manchester City as he continues his development in the Premier League and seeks to fulfil the considerable expectations surrounding his career.