sportskeeda
RIO FERDINAND has urged Manchester United to part ways with the “s***” players currently on the team.
The former Red Devils defender highlighted the importance of the club being harsh in managing its squad.
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Ferdinand, 46, is hopeful that the ownership will adopt a comparable strategy with the underperforming players as they have with the directors.
His pointed remarks come hot on the heels of the decision to release sporting director Dan Ashworth after merely five months.
He expressed: “Confusion is the first word that comes to mind.
“I just hope they’re as merciless with the players who have overstayed their welcome or aren’t up to the required standard, as they have been with the long-serving staff who have been let go.
“Any underperforming players need to be let go with similar decisiveness.
“I trust they will act prudently. For better or worse, they’ve at least made a clear decision.
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“That’s my perspective. However, it’s apparent there’s quite a bit of turmoil at the club.
Dan Ashworth departs Man Utd after just five months, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe initiating a shock boardroom overhaul
Inside Man Utd chaos amidst Ashworth’s departure
THE blame game has claimed another victim as things spiral out of control at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s first-ever sporting director, Dan Ashworth, joined the club in the summer but has departed before Christmas.
SunSport revealed exclusively last month that tensions were brewing.
The newly established senior management team had begun shifting blame onto one another for the challenges facing the club.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth claimed they were not at fault as they arrived too late after their gardening leave.
New part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe asserted that the decision-making authority resided with them, while Jason Wilcox described the situation as chaotic under former manager Erik ten Hag, yet was part of the group that urged him to stay when other candidates withdrew.
Reports indicate that Ashworth was opposed to appointing his successor and new head coach Ruben Amorim, favoring an English manager with more experience. This could explain why Gareth Southgate’s name frequently emerged after their time at the FA.
Regardless, Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest, following a lackluster second-half showing against Arsenal, proved too much to bear.
“Ticket prices are rising, over 250 staff members have been laid off, and the management remains steadfast.
“They’re asserting, ‘We’re proceeding with this regardless of the backlash’.”
Ashworth’s exit followed confrontational discussions amid a club caught in a blame game regarding a poor start to the season.
Manchester United announced his dismissal via a terse 53-word statement, insisting it was a “mutual decision.”
Gary Neville criticized the statement as “not a good look” in his pointed comments.
The Red Devils’ disappointing beginning to the Premier League season culminated in the termination of Erik ten Hag’s managerial contract.
The Dutch manager was let go following the loss to West Ham in October, subsequently replaced by Ruben Amorim.
Since Amorim’s hiring, results have been inconsistent.
His first match ended in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich, followed by victories over Bodo/Glimt and Everton.
However, the club is currently on a three-match winless streak, with the latest fixture ending in a 3-2 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.
Ten Hag’s Man Utd signings
The Dutchman has secured 21 players since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2022
2022-23:
Antony, (Ajax) £86m
Casemiro, (Real Madrid) £70m
Lisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46m
Tyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13m
Christian Eriksen, (Brentford) free
Martin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loan
Wout Weghorst, (Burnley) loan
Jack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loan
Marcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan
2023-24:
Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72m
Mason Mount, (Chelsea) £60m
Andre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47m
Sofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loan
Altay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3m
Jonny Evans, (Leicester) free
Sergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan
2024-25:
Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52m
Manuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50m
Matthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45m
Joshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5m
Noussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m
