Rio Ferdinand reveals his opinions on the reasons behind Manchester United’s struggles this season and “biggest surprises” for Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has been a difficult one, with United currently having their worst season in Premier League history.
While most believe Amorim is the right man for the job, even he will admit that performances need to improve.
Two disappointing results against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, despite an improvement in performance, have created further doubt in the fanbase about the direction the club is going in.
The Portuguese manager has had several big problems to deal with in his short time at the club, with Rio Ferdinand naming one issue as “one of the biggest surprises” for Amorim.
Ferdinand names physicality as biggest problem
After being questioned about United’s previous counter-attacking strategies, Ferdinand named physicality as one of the biggest problems at the club.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former central defender said, “I think one of the biggest surprises for him [Amorim], when he started looking at the data and then being at the training ground, seeing the players day in and day out and then getting to the games would’ve been how far off physically they are to all the other teams.
“The ability to play at a high intensity, with speed, with that physical durability throughout 90 minutes consistently. I think Man United are way off.”
Ferdinand went on to say, “We [United] don’t have enough dynamic players to compete man-to-man all over the pitch, with enough maybe all of the Premier League teams.”
The former captain also described Nottingham Forest as being “quicker and stronger” than United “in every department.”
It’s no surprise that United are aiming to sign a plethora of physical and more dynamic players during the 2025 summer window.
United’s dynamism in previous years
Ferdinand was privileged enough to play with some of United’s most dynamic players in the club’s history.
The former Leeds United defender would have lined up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Ryan Giggs, to name a few.
United’s current dynamism should come from the two No. 10 positions, especially Alejandro Garnacho, who has shown glimpses of quick and dynamic football.
The return of Amad, looking to be before the end of the season, will see an improvement in United’s attacking play, but more “dynamic” players are needed in the summer.
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