INEOS must fix BIG Manchester United mistake right now to succeed, says club legend

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has stated that the INEOS must improve their recruitment now if they hope to be a “progressive club” again.

Purchasing a 27.7 per cent stake in the Red Devils, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have worked fast, taking several steps in an attempt to restore Manchester United to their former glories.

Hiring several key figures such as Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, there has been a renewed focus on the long-term health of the club under United’s new regime.

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Discussing United’s poor recruitment under the Glazer’s stewardship, Ferdinand explained on his FIVE YouTube channel that INEOS will need to do better if they hope to succeed.

Highlighting a series of poor players on high wages, Ferdinand used several members of the United squad to emphasise his point – starting with Jonny Evans, who is on a reported £65,000 a week.

“Jonny Evans, really, no disrespect – I love him – but really, he shouldn’t even be there,” Ferdinand pointed out. “Really, if you’re looking at Man United being a progressive club [he shouldn’t be there].

“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.”

“We’ve got players going on free transfers who have cost us a fortune in wages and transfer fees, 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 are 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.”

Ferdinand’s comment that there are seven players whose contracts are set to expire at the end of the next season is correct, with several key players entering the final year of their deal.

First-team regulars Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay are all in the final year of their deals. Additionally, squad players Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelöf are in the same position. Finally, youngsters Amad Diallo and Willy Kambwala are also approaching the final thirteen months of their deals.

Of the seven names mentioned above, only Maguire, McTominay, and Diallo’s contracts give the club the option to extend their deals for an extra year. Meanwhile, several of the remaining names, such as Wan-Bissaka and Eriksen, are believed to be seen as sellable by the club, something Ferdinand believes is easier said than done.

“We can’t get rid of players,” Ferdinand passionately stated. “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.

“Harry Maguire is a good example. West Ham wanted him, they’re willing to pay him half what he was earning at Manchester United, but Harry Maguire [says no]. I’d be the same. What do you mean go and get half? And uproot my family? No thanks.”

For further context, Harry Maguire reportedly earns a weekly salary of £190,000 at Manchester United, making him the ninth-highest earner at the club.

The Red Devils had accepted a bid from West Ham last season, however the deal never materialised after the aforementioned difference in wage.

Having remained at the club, Maguire ended up becoming the club’s most-used centre-back in the Premier League, playing for 1,653 minutes from 22 appearances. Jonny Evans, who is expected to leave this summer, made one more appearance but played fewer minutes.