‘You have to be a realist’: Rio Ferdinand insists Manchester United fans shouldn’t be frustrated that Erik ten Hag’s side have not been in contention for the title, as their goal at the start of the season was to finish in the top four
- Rio Ferdinand has stressed that Manchester United must be realistic
- Ferdinand says United never expected to challenge for the title this season
- According to Ferdinand, they can push through if United recruit well
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United fans cannot be disappointed that the club has not been in contention for the Premier League title this season.
United are in fourth place, 19 points behind leaders Manchester City, as Erik ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford comes to an end.
Ferdinand was keen to point out that United had ambitions to qualify for the Champions League at the start of the season, while also securing the added bonus of winning the Carabao Cup.
Speaking of his Vibe with FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said: ‘You have to be realistic. Man United’s aspirations at the start of the season were never to win the league, it was to finish in the top four and if you got your hands on a trophy he swam through the channel, whatever trophy it was. There he is.
“If we finish in the top four, hopefully you can say well done. Because you start to hover around the top, you still have to be realistic when you are with a football club. Man United can’t get out of their pram.’
Rio Ferdinand says Manchester United can’t be disappointed not to be in contention for the title
Former United defender Ferdinand has backed ten Hag’s side to move on next season if they recruit well this summer.
He said: “New recruiting time this summer, recruit well and you can look beyond what we did at the beginning of last season. But to think we’re going, oh my God, we’re so disappointed that we’re not fighting for the league, that was never on the radar.’
Ferdinand stressed that United’s main goal this season was to finish in the top four
According to Ferdinand, United are able to continue with the right recruitment
For now, United are focused on trying to finish in the top four. They are currently one point ahead of Liverpool, who have played one game more.
United suffered a 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Sunday, with a mistake by goalkeeper David de Gea giving Said Benrahma a goal.
Ten Hag’s team still has four league matches to go this season and will compete against Wolves, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham.
In addition, they are through to the FA Cup final, where they will face rivals Manchester City.