Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to sign Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer this summer, arguing that the Barcelona forward could bring experience and leadership to a squad set for another rebuild. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said Lewandowski was “not a bad shout” if United decide to add another striker, and called him a sensible option even if the wages were high.
The former defender’s comments come as United plan to strengthen after finishing the 2025-26 season with a win over Brighton and ending third in the Premier League under Michael Carrick. Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim in the dugout before being appointed permanently on a two-year contract, has already overseen a sharper finish to the campaign, with Benjamin Sesko beginning to justify his £74m fee after a difficult spell under Amorim.
United are expected to add at least two midfielders this summer, with Casemiro already gone and Manuel Ugarte potentially available for sale. Ferdinand said the club may even need two or three midfield signings to cover that area properly, while also leaving room for a new forward if the market allows it. The prospect of another striker would add pressure and competition for Sesko, but Ferdinand said that could be part of the point.
“If we brought him in, look at the experience he has, the amount of learning that Sesko will do,” Ferdinand said, adding that if United believe Sesko is the man for the next five years, the striker could learn plenty behind Lewandowski, whom he described as a wonderful, humble human being. Ferdinand said the Poland captain would “teach and show Sesko the way” and get him playing, even if the deal involved “crazy” wages.
Lewandowski, 37, is set to end his four-year spell at Barcelona, where he has scored 120 goals in 193 appearances and helped the club win three La Liga titles. He joined from Bayern Munich in 2022 and had already built a formidable record there, scoring 344 goals in 375 games while winning eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. Barcelona are now searching for his replacement, which makes his future one of the more notable pieces of the summer market.
For United, the logic is clear: the club is back in the Champions League, the squad needs depth, and the attack still lacks certainty beyond Sesko. Ferdinand closed by saying it is “going to be a big and interesting summer” to see who United go for, and this one feels like a test of whether the club wants a short-term fix, a long-term plan, or a bit of both.
