Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Manchester United's ongoing dire form has meant that those outside of the club have become so accustomed to the Red Devils losing on a regular basis that they're no longer a talking point
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Rio Ferdinand looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford on April 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand says United's poor run of form has meant people have stopped messaging him about the club
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that losing has become so normalised for the Red Devils that he doesn't even receive calls after they drop points anymore.
United's season hit yet a new low last weekend when they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by West Ham United at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag's dismissal followed by Ruben Amorim's appointment in October 2024 was supposed to usher in a new dawn at the club.
Yet, under Amorim, United have won just [six of their 26 league](http://to Old Trafford) games, with their last coming against relegated Leicester City on March 16. Ferdinand has now explained how United's consistent poor run in the league has become such a formality that people outside of the club have become indifferent to the 20-time top-flight champions.
Asked how he feels about the current situation at Old Trafford by TNT Sports Mexico, the 46-year-old said: "The same as the manager, it's been a terrible season.
"Man United, to be 17th is embarrassing. It's difficult, I don't even get people calling me or texting me anymore when Man United lose. It's normal. This is what it feels like.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has lamented where the club is currently at
"It's hard, especially me, I'm a pundit in the media, I'm about, I'm not even getting people taking the mickey out of me anymore. It's unbelievable."
Speaking on his own podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the ex-centre-half claimed Amroim is now eyeing up a major overhaul of his playing staff.
"I think he [Amorim] looks around the dressing room and thinks, 'If I could wave a magic wand, in the next five years at least 50 per cent of this team wouldn't be here,'" Ferdinand said. Adding: "Because they're not good enough and they're not right for the way he wants to play.
"I look at him and think that he needs, minimum, two good windows of getting rid of the ones he doesn't require but also getting in players that he really needs. There has to be a lot of things to go right for us to make a dramatic turn on this. He's coaching the team to understand what he wants, which has led to him getting terrible results in the Premier League consistently.
Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and West Ham at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 11, 2025
Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim has struggled since arriving from Sporting CP
Ferdinand isn't the only ex-United legend to call for a complete revamp of the squad, with Gary Neville warning that it won't be easy to revert back to winning ways so soon.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Neville said: “You’re talking about eight to 10 players have to go. They’re going to have to pay to get them out,”
United head to Chelsea on Friday evening before finishing their season against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday May 25. However, defeat to the Hammers last Sunday now raises fears that the Red Devils could spectacularly fail to reach 40 points and could even finish just outside the relegation places in 17th.
Despite the gloom, United do have a Europa League final on the horizon, and a huge chance to salvage their season with a way into the Champions League, when they face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on May 21.