Rio Ferdinand’s three issues Sir Jim Ratcliffe must kind at Man Utd
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has dished out some advice to Sir Jim Ratcliffe following their 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.
The former centre-back – who boasts an impressive haul of six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and two League Cups from his time at Old Trafford – knows a thing or two about what makes a club successful. By the same logic, that should make him a valuable resource on what a team may be lacking to reach that next level.
Although United had the majority of possession and shooting opportunities on Sunday, it was Arsenal who looked the much more threatening team throughout. And it left Ferdinand, 45, wondering if something might be amiss around Carrington.
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After witnessing United’s third straight competitive loss to the Gunners, Ferdinand didn’t hold back on his thoughts for improvement. In his latest Vibe with FIVE podcast episode , the ex-England star made it clear behind-the-scenes chemistry is crucial for on-pitch success.
Ferdinand expressed (via the Manchester Evening News): “That’s one of the things I think the club has got to look at, what’s going on behind the scenes: the training, the way the players are around the place [and] what’s the atmosphere like in the changing rooms and [around] the training ground?”
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He continued by stressing the importance of a positive environment, adding: “Because there’s a lot to be said for that. If it ain’t right around the training ground, invariably it ain’t gonna be right on the pitch.”
The scale of the challenge facing Ratcliffe this summer was underscored by United’s first home defeat since February. This loss to Arsenal came hot on the heels of a 4-0 drubbing at Crystal Palace, leaving Erik ten Hag‘s squad languishing eighth in the league.
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Despite a promising first season at the helm of United, 54-year-old Ten Hag has seen a significant dip in performance this term. Adding insult to injury, the club’s infrastructure problems were laid bare when heavy rain in Manchester resulted in a deluge inside Old Trafford on Sunday.
Throughout his career, Ferdinand was frequently praised for his leadership abilities and would have developed an eye for identifying the signs of a high-functioning team. Sadly, it seems that the absence of these same indicators may help pinpoint where United’s current squad is falling short.
