Rio Ferdinand has pulled no punches towards Manchester United players and made his feelings clear on the approach that the Red Devils must take to deal with them.
Manchester United languish in 13th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils are now eight points adrift from the top four.
The Premier League club had a dreadful start to the 2024-25 campaign under former United manager Erik ten Hag, who was sacked by the Red Devils in late October.
Erik ten Hag’s departure paved the way for former Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim to permanently succeed him at Old Trafford in November.
Ruben Amorim, who inked a deal with United until June 2027, has overseen a mixed start to life in England as Red Devils manager.
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager has picked up two wins at United in his first five matches, including a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town in November.
However, United slipped to back-to-back Premier League defeats under Amorim last week in a 2-0 away loss to Arsenal and 3-2 home loss to Nottingham Forest.
READ MORE: Phil Jones thinks Man Utd star has ‘been terrific so far’ this season, despite making ‘disappointed’ claim
Rio Ferdinand ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar on December 1, 2024.
Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
MORE UNITED STORIES
Ferdinand’s brutal Man Utd verdict
Manchester United have also been impacted away from the pitch after the news that Dan Ashworth had made his exit from Old Trafford.
Dan Ashworth had been heavily linked with United and the Red Devils finally brought him to the club in the summer from Newcastle.
However, the former United sporting director’s tenure lasted only five months before Ashworth made his sudden exit following the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand ruthlessly suggested that he hopes United take a “brutal” approach with players amid Ashworth’s departure.
“I just hope they are this brutal with the s**t players that are there,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“If there’s any s**t players there – and as fans we could all name one we don’t think are good enough – if they have been there too long or are just not good enough, be as brutal with them and get them the f**k out, quick, ASAP.
“I hope they are like that but it’s different with players with the contacts and the layers. But please be as brutal, please.”
READ MORE: Max Verstappen singles out Man Utd legend and cult hero under Sir Alex Ferguson, he shared special ‘connection’ with them
Ashworth exits Man Utd
According to The Athletic, Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe had played a ‘pivotal’ part in the decision for United and Ashworth to head their separate ways.
The publication added that the departure of the former Newcastle sporting director would ‘stun staff at United’ after Ashworth’s role in ‘trying to reshape the club.’
Posting in a statement, United wrote: “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.”
Related Posts