FIXING ‘BROKEN’ UNITED IS A RED DEVIL OF A JOB
Rio: Ineos need to repair structure of the club. Ten Hag can’t do it on his own
BY
RIO FERDINAND insists Erik ten Hag cannot fix all of Manchester United’s problems on his own.
And Ferdinand has told new joint-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe he needs to repair United’s broken foundations – if the fallen giants are to get back to the top of football again.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group have bought a 25 percent stake in United for £1.3billion – and will be in charge of the club’s football operations.
But Ferdinand reckons Ratcliffe’s job will involve much more than just signing better players and that the whole structure of the club needs looking at.
Ferdinand, who won 14 trophies with United between 2002 and 2014, said: “What we’re finding now is that it’s not one thing that’s going to fix this.
“One manager isn’t going to fix it. We’ve had different managers, with different levels of experience, who have come in – and it’s been the same outcome. They’ve been shown the door. So, what else is it? It’s the framework of the club, the structure behind the scenes.
“I just hope the new guys who are coming in – the INEOS Group – who have experience in different sports, but also football, can really shape the club into a well-oiled machine that will begin to know how to function off the pitch.
“That can filter through to the team. Because if it’s not functioning behind the scenes, then on the pitch it’s not going to happen.
“You look at the best clubs and how they’re run. Foundations of the club give you a chance and a platform to perform.”
Ferdinand reckons Ten Hag remains the right man to manage United but admits he needs to start finding more consistency from his struggling side.
He told The Obi One Podcast: “I like him. I can see he’s desperate to win. He’s desperate to make a change and make it work. He’s very diligent, meticulous and he’s one of those guys who is trying to work things out to make his team better. To make his team win.
“Unfortunately, the team hasn’t shaped up and found consistency. That’s one of the key words – consistency.
“You get a performance out of Manchester United, and you think they’re back.
“They do it to us all the time as fans.
“And then they fall over again and produce one of those performances we’ve become used to, where it’s drab and a bit offbeat.”
United have fallen out of the title race this season – because they were never in it to begin with.
But Ferdinand (above), who won six league titles at Old Trafford, believes the Premier League trophy will still be in Manchester come the end of the season.
He added: “Because Arsenal don’t have a No.9, who is going to get 25 goals this season, they’re going to come up short again.
“City have got the experience, know-how and talent. And they have Pep.”