Rio Ferdinand has drawn up a four-man shortlist of managerial candidates to replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, following the Portuguese's sacking on Monday. The former United defender named Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel, Xavi and Darren Fletcher as his ideal choices for the Old Trafford hot seat.
Amorim was dismissed just hours after his explosive press conference following the 1-1 draw with Leeds, where he insisted he had joined as 'the manager' rather than 'the coach'. His departure makes him the third manager to leave under the INEOS regime, after Erik ten Hag was sacked last season.
Fletcher, currently head coach of United's under-18 side, will take caretaker charge for the upcoming match against Burnley. The former midfielder has held various roles at the club, including first-team coach and technical director.
Ferdinand expressed surprise at Amorim's dismissal, stating on his YouTube channel: 'I didn't anticipate this when I woke up this morning. He was not in the four or five managers I thought would be getting the sack next.' However, he acknowledged that Amorim's record was 'the worst of any United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson'.
The former England international also revealed that when he last visited Carrington, Amorim seemed 'cold', suggesting the decision to sack him had been 'cooking before Christmas'.
