Football News

“He’s in the wilderness at Man City” — Rio Ferdinand urges Liverpool or Man Utd to sign Raheem Sterling

By Ben Green

Published: 11:17, 21 September 2021

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes his former club, or even Liverpool, should consider signing Raheem Sterling, who is now in “the wilderness” at Manchester City.

Sterling, 26, has been an integral member of Pep Guardiola’s attack since the ex-Barcelona manager took charge at the Etihad, scoring a total of 103 goals in just five seasons under the Catalonian.

His form for City has also translated to England, where the wily winger took on the responsibility of Gareth Southgate’s reliable goal-getter during the Euros, which culminated in the Three Lions reaching the final, and Sterling earning a place in the ‘Team of the Tournament’.


Qualifying readers* can take advantage of the offer above in three steps:

  1. Follow this link to register with Unibet
  2. Deposit £10 or more into your new account
  3. Receive money back as a bonus worth up to £40 if you bet loses (+ £10 casino)

*18+ only. Be Gamble Aware. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 35x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply.


However, despite a stellar summer at international level, Sterling has returned to City and fallen down the pecking order during his embryonic stages of the Premier League season, starting just two of the club’s opening five matches, and only getting a 20-minute cameo in the Champions League win over RB Leipzig.

As such, Sterling has struck just once this term, which came in the 5-0 demolition of Norwich City on matchday two, in which he came on for the final 30 minutes and struck the fourth, but he has been unable to add to that tally since, recently firing a blank during a 90-minute spell in the 0-0 with Southampton.

It may still be early in the 2021/22 campaign, but Ferdinand has expressed his concern that, in a squad that is now lacking a natural goalscorer following the departure of Sergio Aguero and failed attempt to sign Harry Kane, Sterling is not getting more considerable game time.

Ferdinand said on his FIVE Youtube channel: “If I’m Liverpool, I’d buy Sterling tomorrow … If I’m him, I wouldn’t go to Barcelona or Real Madrid right now, that’s why I said Liverpool … Man United will take him!

“Where is Raheem Sterling? He’s lost confidence because he’s been taken out of the team. He was the go-to guy when they needed a goal, for so many years, and now all of a sudden he’s in the wilderness.

“I’m baffled by it, I just don’t understand. With Pep, he gets things right more often than not, but with this one there must be clubs sitting there going ‘let’s see how this pans out because I would take Sterling all day!”

Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets T&Cs apply

18+, UK only. Deposit and place a minimum £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/1 or greater and we will give you 1 x £5 in free bets plus an extra 3 x £5 Free Bets the following day. Applies to first cash bet only. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 bets to use on 3x Any sport & 1x Virtuals. Cashed Out, Void or Draw No Bet wagers do not qualify for this promotion. 1 x £5 Free Bets are credited upon qualifying first bet settlement, other free bets credited by midday the day after your first bet settles. 7-day free bet expiry. Available once per customer. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Full T&C’s apply.

18+ only. New UK customers only. T&Cs apply. Claim Here
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets T&Cs apply

18+ only. Use code BET30. New Players Only. Minimum stake $/€/£ 10, minimum odds1.5, stake not returned.1X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Max conversion: $/€/£ 200. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply

18+ only. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Claim Here
£20 in free bets when you place a £10 bet T&Cs apply

18+ only. £10 min. deposit required. 1 x £10 qualifying bet required. Qualifying bet must be placed on selection with min. odds of 1.8 (4/5). 4 x £5 Free Bets will be credited once the qualifying bet has been settled. 1 x Free Bet valid for any Football Match Result market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Football Correct Score market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Horse Racing market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Tennis market. Free Bets valid for 7 days once credited. T&Cs apply.

18+ only. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Claim Here