Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says he wants the club to sign Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish this summer regardless of whether Paul Pogba leaves Old Trafford.

The England international attracted interest from the Red Devils last summer but Villa’s £75million valuation of the midfielder ended negotiations. However, Grealish’s value has arguably risen since as the midfielder has been Villa’s best player again this term, producing a number of scintillating performances.

United eventually decided against a move for Grealish last summer and the midfielder ended up signing a new five-year deal at Villa Park. However, United have been linked with renewing their interest in the 25-year-old, particularly as Paul Pogba looks set to leave the club at the end of the season. Ferdinand believes Grealish should be of interest to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer regardless of Pogba’s future.

‘I don’t care if Pogba goes or not, Grealish is my man!’ Ferdinand mentioned. ‘I’ve known this guy since he was in his early teens. He came to my restaurant in Manchester actually to watch a game and I got him some tickets. Great kid, great family. Loves his football. ‘What you don’t see is the hard work behind closed doors, the attention to detail, the way he trains and changed his regime.

He’s looked at himself and what can I do better? I’ve heard from a lot of people that he’s diligent with everything he does off the pitch to where he’s now. We’re seeing results week in, week out now. ‘The numbers tell you he’s starting to think about things. I think he’s looked at himself in the summer and thought, I did well last season, I’ve signed a new deal at the club I love, and now I’m going to go again.

There’s been a huge improvement in the numbers. ‘Good players will find a way, they will work it out. Can you imagine if you had McTominay holding and Pogba alongside Grealish and Fernandes. Imagine that man! I’m licking my lips right now. Listen, he’s an Aston Villa player. If I’m a manager of a top, top team in England, I don’t allow him to stay there anymore, I take him!’

Grealish’s valuation is likely to be around £100m now and Villa are in a stronger position to keep him given the length of his contract and the club’s rise up the league.

Pogba has 18 months to run on his deal at the club and his agent, Mino Raiola, says he’s ‘unhappy’ at the Theatre of Dreams. United are likely to listen to offers for him this summer to avoid losing Pogba on a free in 2022.