Rio Ferdinand casts doubt on Erik ten Hag’s position by warning ‘parts have to fall into place for him to stay’ and admits Sir Jim Ratcliffe could make a permanent change at Old Trafford
- Erik ten Hag’s current contract with Manchester United runs until next year
- Rio Ferdinand thinks the Dutchman can be replaced in the summer
- Manchester United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe can rebuild the stadium, build a museum… but they have to pay for it – It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Rio Ferdinand is unsure whether Erik ten Hag will retain his position as Manchester United manager at the end of the season if there is no drastic improvement around the club.
United have largely been underwhelming during Ten Hag’s second season in charge. They currently sit sixth in the Premier League, eight points behind fourth-place Aston Villa, and have crashed out of the Champions League.
The Dutchman’s future is being closely watched following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, who have taken sporting control at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag recently admitted he is convinced Ratcliffe is ‘absolutely’ confident in his ability to lead United back to success, but Ferdinand is not so confident.
The United legend expressed his concerns about the Ten Hag side’s lack of playing style and revealed that a change to the dugout could be made at the end of the season.
Rio Ferdinand is unsure whether Erik ten Hag will retain his position as Manchester United manager
New United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) could replace Ten Hag at the end of the season
Ferdinand believes that Ten Hag must show improvements during the run-up to the end of the season to maintain his position
Speaking of his FIVE On YouTube channel Ferdinand said: ‘It depends on how (he finishes the season). If he does it close, they will see an upturn in form and an upturn in the environment on the training ground.
“If they can kind of see what it’s like, ‘Okay, we can maybe see what it looks like going into next season if we add the right pieces to it as well.’
‘Given the structure behind him now, that could be possible (a different story). Many moving parts have to fall into place for it to continue to exist.
“But if they don’t finish the season well and they lose games and it seems like the dressing room is not a harmonious place… and one thing I would say is I don’t think Jim Ratcliffe and his team are. shy to make big decisions.’
Manchester United have struggled during Ten Hag’s second season at the club
Ten Hag’s current contract with Man United runs until the summer of 2025
‘It wouldn’t be a problem for them if they had to intervene. They wouldn’t think, ‘Oh, I’ve got to do the media and PR.’
‘No no. “Whatever is good for Man United now, they will do,” he added.
Ten Hag’s current contract runs until the summer of 2025 and the Dutchman is determined to bring the club up to par with Man City and Liverpool.
Former Chelsea boss and current Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has been touted as a potential successor if Ratcliffe decides to make a permanent change.
