Rio Ferdinand has insisted that one Manchester United star “shouldn’t” be at Old Trafford, despite admitting his admiration for the Erik ten Hag signing.
Manchester United signed off their turbulent Premier League campaign under Erik ten Hag on Sunday with a 2-0 away win over Brighton.
The Red Devils ended the Premier League season in a disappointing eighth place, with United managing only 18 wins and suffering 14 defeats.
United manager Ten Hag will now turn his attention to Saturday for the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.
The under-fire Dutchman, who has faced mounting speculation over his future at Old Trafford, reached his second consecutive final as United boss.
Ten Hag could still end the season on a high note by capturing the FA Cup on 25th May, having fallen short of the trophy in the 2023 final against Manchester City.
Ferdinand talks one Man Utd star
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, the Manchester United legend made his feelings clear on the Red Devils’ lacklustre Premier League campaign.
Rio Ferdinand opened up about his admiration for former United teammate Jonny Evans, who made his return to Old Trafford last summer.
Jonny Evans was released by Leicester City in 2023 and was initially signed on a short-term deal at United, with the defender taking part in the pre-season tour.
The 36-year-old Northern Ireland international was then handed a one-year deal and re-signed for the Premier League club on deadline day.
Evans has impressed under United boss Erik ten Hag at times this season, with the Dutchman turning to the veteran centre-back amid an injury crisis to his backline.
Ferdinand insisted that he ‘loves’ the United defender and praised his impact at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils legend doesn’t believe he should be at the club anymore.
“Jonny Evans, really, no disrespect – I love him – but really he shouldn’t even be there,” he said on his Vibe with Five show.
“Really, if you’re looking at Man United being a progressive club [he shouldn’t be there]. But he’s come in and probably been their best centre-back this season.
“And now you’ve got Casemiro playing there, just filling gaps, and respect to him for doing that to put himself out there to do it.”
Ferdinand on Man Utd problems and contracts
United are expected to see players depart the club this summer amid a squad overhaul after Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner of the Red Devils.
Raphael Varane has confirmed that he will leave Old Trafford this summer, while the likes of Anthony Martial will make an exit from United after his contract expires.
However, the likes of Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Christian Eriksen are still under contract until 2025 and it remains to be seen if United can offload them.
Ferdinand slammed the contract situation at United and admitted that some players could see out their deals before leaving the club on free transfers.
“We’ve got players going on free transfers who have cost us a fortune in wages and transfer fees,” he added.
“And we’ve got players still sitting there with one year left on their deals who are going to probably just see them out and we’ll get nothing for them.
“I can’t remember off the top of my head, but there’s about six or seven players who are on one year left on their deals and are going to just sit there and smoke it up, chill. The recruitment in and out has been poor.
“We can’t get rid of players, do you know why? Because on the way in they get given astronomical contracts that are above market value and that no-one else will pay if it goes wrong. So, they sit there.”
