Rio Ferdinand has told Manchester United what the league table already shows: they should have fought harder for the defender who is making Arsenal’s back four look unbreakable.
Ezri Konsa joined Arsenal from Aston Villa in August 2026 for an initial £51m, with add-ons that can take the deal to £55m, and he has slotted in at centre-back while William Saliba recovers from the back injury that has kept the France international out since the summer.
“He’s a top, top player and another one I thought Manchester United should have got,” Ferdinand said, according to Complete Sports.
The former United defender praised Konsa for being efficient on the ball and off it, and told his audience he had turned to his son during a recent Arsenal match and pointed Konsa out as the player to watch.
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Lineker’s shock line on Saliba
Gary Lineker went further than a transfer regret.
“I think Konsa is ultimately a better defender. I think Saliba has got the odd mistake in him. Konsa, I’ve not really seen that yet,” Lineker said, in comments reported by Football365.
That is not a throwaway line in north London. Saliba has been first-choice centre-back since establishing himself in the Premier League and won the title with Arsenal last season. Lineker’s view sharpens the selection problem Mikel Arteta will have the moment his France international is fit again.
Richards refuses to drop Saliba
Micah Richards would not have it.
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“I would still say Saliba, let’s not forget Saliba won the title last season,” Richards told the same podcast.
Richards referenced an earlier prediction from John Terry that was aging well by the week: if Saliba went down injured, Konsa was good enough to keep him out.
United’s defensive record
Ferdinand’s dig at his old club lands at an awkward moment. Complete Sports put United’s defensive record at 15 goals conceded in nine Premier League matches, while Arsenal top the table on 24 points after eight wins from nine.
Konsa’s possible next move: right-back
Saliba has returned to full Arsenal training after almost four months out and is in contention for Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Slavia Prague.
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Ferdinand sees the solution. Shift Konsa to right-back, where he played at Aston Villa, and keep Saliba in the middle.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Konsa goes back to right-back once Saliba comes back…because Konsa is top,” Ferdinand said.
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