For fans of clubs outside the traditional top four, Manchester United’s transition since Alex Ferguson’s retirement doesn’t actually look too bad.
After losing the greatest British manager of the modern age, things were always going to be a little rocky under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.
But for United fans, last season’s fourth place finish simply isn’t good enough with the current style they are playing, and Van Gaal’s position is coming under increased scrutiny.
One man who understands this better than most is Rio Ferdinand. The 37-year-old won six Premier League titles as well as a Champions League during his time at Old Trafford, before departing in 2014.
Speaking to NDTV in India, Ferdinand shared his thoughts on the current managerial situation at his former club.
“From when I left, I knew it was going to be difficult but I expected more,” he said. “I expected us to kind of make a bigger change maybe under the new manager but it just hasn’t gone as well as we would have liked.
“The biggest problem for the Man United fans today is the style of football. I think if you speak to anybody, that’s the biggest problem for people. They can understand not winning sometimes but if you try to play the right way, like the philosophy that everyone’s come to expect from Manchester United, then people will be more accommodating.
“But that’s not been the case and so people are disgruntled and people are asking for new people to come in.”
The former United defender then opened up about who he would like to see replace the Dutchman.
“Jose Mourinho’s name’s getting mentioned. If you want someone who’s got a career track record in winning, then he’s that guy,” he said.
“But if you want someone who understands the philosophy, is respectful of the philosophy, who will identify with the fans, knows the place inside-out, is going to be a bigger risk, then Ryan Giggs is that guy.”
