Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has called for calm among the club’s fanbase in the wake of harsh comments and criticism that has been thrown the way of the squad under the management of Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman has not started the season convincingly even though he has picked up six points from a possible nine. The performances of his team have shown signs of struggle and signs of a team that is reliant on individual quality to push through.
The club’s administration is also under fire because of their sluggishness in getting deals over the line. Despite spending north of £150 million in transfer fees this summer, the squad still looks depleted and the fans are lashing out at the board for not spending more.
There is a lot of tension at the club thanks to the pressure of the fans, who are also pushing for the sale of the club by the Glazers to be done quickly.
Ferdinand, who captained Man United to several trophies, including their last UEFA Champions League title, has called for calm within the fanbase. The footballer-turned-broadcaster believes that things are getting a “little bit too hysterical” and that it is too early for any kind of bashing. However, he admits that on the football side, he has expected better performances from ten Hag’s side.
“I think there’s just too much panic,” he said on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand presents FIVE. “Not only at United, I think your club, the hysteria surrounding your club is usual,” he then said to the Arsenal fan whom he was on the show with. “Because we’re not surprised about it. But Man United, I think it’s just getting a bit too hysterical at the minute.
“We’re three games in man. No trophies are handed out after three games. No player can put their best foot forward and say this is the best of me in three games. You have to be patient.
“I for one as well, like probably most of the fan base, expected more, I expected better I expected more consistency. I expected a style of play that I was used to seeing and it hasn’t been so far but it is nothing to go crazy about so far.
“When we’re 15 games in then I’ll start panicking, but at this stage, I think, yes you can look at individuals and the way that teams perform and say that they can do better. But sometimes you have to look at what the positives are.”
