Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is not always as willing as ex-teammate Roy Keane to tear into the current team.
But when he does, you know he’s not impressed, and the former centre-back has weighed in on what he perceives as cultural dressing room problems within the Manchester United squad.
Ferdinand was speaking after Manchester United’s penalty shootout victory over Coventry City, questioning why the team were able to give up a three-goal advantage in normal time.
He referred back to the issues which he believes stem through to the players, a lack of leadership.
Rio Ferdinand speaks out on Alejandro Garnacho controversy
Rio Ferdinand was at Wembley to see Manchester United win the game, and will return for the final.
Discussing the victory on Five, he made reference to Alejandro Garnacho‘s controversial actions following the draw with Bournemouth.
Garnacho ‘liked’ tweets critical of manager Erik ten Hag after he was substituted off.
The matter was dealt with and United moved on, with Garnacho back in the starting line-up against Coventry City.
However, Ferdinand believes the situation is emblematic of the problem at United, and does not totally blame Garnacho either.
He points to a lack of leadership in the dressing room which would have led to Garnacho making the error in the first place, and says a clear out is needed.
Ferdinand explained: “It was distasteful and it shouldn’t be liked in public even if you agree with it. The culture would set whether that kid makes a decision or not normally.
“And if he does make the wrong decision, then is there anyone in the training room grabbing him and saying ‘oi, you don’t do that we don’t associate that, that’s wrong. If you think that go and speak to the manager face to face, don’t be doing it sly, liking little things here and there.’
“That’s where Ineos, it’s a huge moment, we saw Jason Wilcox at the game yesterday. He’s coming, Dan Ashworth is probably going to come in soon. They’ve cleared the decks at the top, and they have got to the bottom now with players.
“The players have proved for too long, there’s too many plans in there that ain’t good enough, that don’t know what it means to be a Man United player. There hasn’t been a culture that’s been set for them I don’t think enough, that they’re adhering to and there needs to be a new DNA set.
“And the reset starts at the top with the new people that have come in with Jason Wilcox, Dan Ashworth.”
Ferdinand is a big fan of Garnacho
Rio Ferdinand does believe Alejandro Garnacho is a major talent and says the decision to take him off was one of thereasons Manchester United collapsed in the second half.
He commented: “I was in a bad way during that game, 3-1, 3-2 and then 3-3, and then they got the winner and VAR saved us.
“It saved us. We feel lucky man but that’s the way it is, we get to the final and, hopefully, we win now.
“Garnacho can’t be coming off of the pitch, Kobbie Mainoo coming off early – you’ve got young hungry guys.”
The youngster just needs a little help, and as Ferdinand points out, Ineos will be reshaping the squad this summer and bringing leaders into the dressing room will be essential.