Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has delivered a blistering assessment of the club's current trajectory, taking aim at what he perceives as a flawed transfer strategy and backing Sporting CP's highly-rated manager Ruben Amorim to be a transformative figure at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand's comments come amidst a period of intense scrutiny for current boss Erik ten Hag and his squad, with the high-profile signing of goalkeeper Andre Onana drawing particular criticism.
Ferdinand's Scathing Take on the Onana Signing
The former England defender did not hold back in his evaluation of the Cameroonian international's tumultuous first season. "The signing of Onana... looking back at it now, you'd probably say, 'I wouldn't have done it,'" Ferdinand admitted on his Vibe with Five podcast.
He pointed to the availability of other world-class goalkeepers at the time, suggesting the club's decision-making was questionable. This public questioning of a major signing underscores the growing disillusionment with the club's recruitment process.
Ruben Amorim: The 'No-Brainer' Candidate for United
Shifting focus to the dugout, Ferdinand passionately advocated for Sporting Lisbon's title-winning manager, Ruben Amorim, as the perfect candidate to steer United back to glory.
"If you're going to change the manager, you'd look at Amorim and go, 'he's done a great job,'" Ferdinand stated. He praised Amorim's clear tactical philosophy, his ability to develop young players, and his proven track record of success in Portugal, including breaking the dominance of Porto and Benfica.
Ferdinand framed the potential appointment as an obvious choice, emphatically adding: "He's a young manager, progressive, plays good football, players enjoy playing under him... It's a no-brainer."
A Club at a Crossroads
Ferdinand's analysis paints a picture of a club at a critical juncture. His critique goes beyond individual players or results, touching on a perceived lack of a coherent long-term vision.
By championing a forward-thinking coach like Amorim and criticising reactive transfers, the United legend is calling for a strategic overhaul from the top down. His comments will resonate with a fanbase increasingly frustrated by a cycle of false dawns and expensive missteps.
Whether the United hierarchy heed the advice of one of their most decorated former players remains to be seen, but Ferdinand has certainly amplified the conversation around the club's future direction.
