Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has delivered a blunt assessment of his former club’s current situation, specifically targeting the recruitment strategy and player retention issues.
United concluded their challenging 2023-24 Premier League season with a victory over Brighton, finishing in eighth place, a significant 31 points behind champions Manchester City. As they prepare to face their city rivals in the FA Cup final, manager Erik ten Hag’s job hangs in the balance amidst anticipated major changes at Old Trafford this summer.
Jonny Evans, who returned to Manchester United last summer on a one-year deal as a fifth-choice centre-half, has been thrust into action far more than expected due to a series of injuries. The 36-year-old has made 29 appearances this season, 18 of which were starts.
In a candid discussion on the “Five” podcast, Ferdinand expressed his views: “Jonny Evans, really, no disrespect – I love him – but he shouldn’t even be there. If you’re looking at Manchester United being a progressive club, he shouldn’t be there. But he’s come in and probably been their best centre-back this season. And now you’ve got Casemiro filling in gaps. Respect to him for doing that, but it highlights the issues.”
Over the past decade, United have struggled to offload underperforming players, often failing to recoup substantial fees. This summer, Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane are expected to leave at the end of their contracts, while Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Christian Eriksen, Harry Maguire, and Scott McTominay are entering the final year of their deals. The club holds a one-year extension option on Maguire and McTominay.
Ferdinand continued his critique: “We’ve got players going on free transfers who have cost us a fortune in wages and transfer fees. And we’ve got players still sitting there with one year left on their deals who will probably just see them out, and we’ll get nothing for them. We can’t get rid of players because they’re on astronomical contracts above market value. No one else will pay those wages if things go wrong, so they stay put.”
Using Harry Maguire as an example, Ferdinand highlighted the dilemma: “West Ham wanted him, willing to pay him half of what he’s earning at Manchester United. But Maguire, understandably, said no. Why should he uproot his family for half the pay?”
As Manchester United faces a critical period of transition, Ferdinand’s insights underscore the significant challenges the club must overcome to return to its former glory.