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 at Manchester United runs until next year
- Rio Ferdinand believes the Dutchman could be replaced in the summer
- Manchester United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe can rebuild the stadium, build a museum… but they should pay for it – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Rio Ferdinand is unsure whether Erik ten Hag will keep his position as Manchester United manager at the end of the season if there isn’t a drastic improvement around the club.
United have largely underwhelmed during Ten Hag’s second season in charge, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table – eight points adrift of fourth place Aston Villa – and having crashed out the Champions League.
The Dutchman’s future is under intense scrutiny following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team who have been given sporting control at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag recently admitted his belief that Ratcliffe ‘absolutely’ has confidence in his capabilities to guide United back to success, but Ferdinand isn’t as confident.
The United legend expressed concern over the lack of style of play being deployed by Ten Hag’s team and revealed a change in the dugout could be made at the end of the season.
Rio Ferdinand is unsure whether Erik ten Hag will keep 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 Ten Hag needs to show improvements during the end of season run-in to keep his position
Speaking on his FIVE Youtube channel, Ferdinand said: ‘It depends how [he finishes the season]. If he runs it close and they see an upturn in form and an upturn in the environment at the training ground.
‘If they can see something where it’s like, ‘Okay we can see what it looks like going into next season maybe, if we add the right pieces to it as well’.
‘Given the structure behind him now it could be [a different story]. A lot of moving parts have to fall into place for him to stay.
‘But if they don’t finish the season well and they’re losing games and it looks like the dressing room ain’t a harmonious place… and one thing I would say is, I don’t think Jim Ratcliffe and his team are shy of making big decisions.’
Manchester United have struggled during Ten Hag’s second season in charge at the club
Ten Hag’s current contract at Man United runs until the summer of 2025
‘It wouldn’t be a big thing for them if they had to intervene. They wouldn’t be thinking, ‘Oh I’ve got to work out the media and the PR’.
‘No, no. What’s right for Man United now, they’ll 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 standard 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.
