Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand (Image: YouTube/Rio Ferdinand Presents)
Rio Ferdinand has launched an extraordinary rant at the "s***" Manchester United players following the sacking of Dan Ashworth.
The 53-year-old was relieved of his duties from his role as United's sporting director on Sunday - less than six months after arriving from Newcastle. A club statement read: "Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as sporting director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future."
Ashworth, who started work on July 1, was described as one of "the top sporting directors in the world" when he joined by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The former Brighton and Newcastle man was expected to oversee United's recruitment for years to come and usher in a new era following Ratcliffe's investment, but his exit is a shock.
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After the likes of Gary Neville and Gary Pallister delivered scathing verdicts on United's latest high-profile decision, Ferdinand has now had his say. The former United defender is hoping Ratcliffe and Ineos are as brutal with the players as they have been with Ashworth and the departing staff.
"Confusion is the first thing that comes to mind," he told Rio Presents. "I just hope they're as this brutal as they have been with the staff that have been there for years that they're culling.
"I hope they're this brutal with the s*** players that are there. If there are any s*** players that are there and ones that have either been there too long or the ones that ain't good enough, be as brutal as they have been and get them the f*** out quick, and I hope they're like that.
"For better or worse, at least they have made a bloody decision, that's the way I think about it. But you look at the things that are going on I think there's a lot of noise around the club. Ticket prices are now going up, there has been laying off of 250 plus staff and again they are very definitive they're like 'we're doing this'."