Rio Ferdinand blasts Man Utd's decision to sell 'magnificent player' in damning statement

Rio Ferdinand admitted he couldn't understand 's decision to sell . The legendary Red Devils defender played with Mexican icon Hernandez for three years at Old Trafford, with the pair sharing two title triumphs.

The striker - who currently plays for boyhood club Guadalajara - was somewhat of an unknown quantity when he was brought to England in 2010 by Sir .

But he was an instant success in Manchester, scoring 13 league goals in 27 games and bagging 20 in all competitions as United captured the league title, as he ranked just one goal behind club top scorer Dimitar Berbatov.

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His ability to score off the bench was a key aspect of United's success in their next two seasons where he scored a combined 30 goals. He racked up 18 goals across all competitions in what remains the club's last league title triumph in the 2012/13 campaign.

However, his latter years at the club saw him fall out of favour and he was sent on loan to in 2014 under before Louis van Gaal opted to sell him on a permanent deal to Bayer Leverkusen a year later.

During an interview with , Ferdinand was asked about his experiences sharing the dressing room him. A smiling Ferdinand said: "Chicharito, I love him, what a guy.

"He was a great example to a young player to come to a different country, new environment, big club with big expectations and show that you have to work hard. This guy worked hard.

"He was concentrated, focused, he wanted to learn [and was] asking questions. [The] perfect example to any young player and it's no surprise to what he achieved [and] went on to do great things."

Ferdinand went on to reveal he wished Hernandez would have stayed at United for longer having been left baffled by the club's decision to part ways with him.

"I wish he stayed at United longer," the pundit said. "I think it was a big mistake for United to sell him, crazy to sell him. I don't know why they did but he was a magnificent player and defenders couldn't defend against him.

"It was too much movement, his movement was beautiful. I loved him, he was a great kid and I still speak to him today. I'm sure if I go back to Mexico, he'll look after me."

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