Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Manchester United don't want to end up like Liverpool, says Rio Ferdinand

Getting next managerial appoint right is crucial, says former defender

Tom Sheen
Wednesday 10 February 2016 11:40 GMT
Comments
BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand
BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has said the club must get their next managerial appointment right or end up on a long title drought like bitter rivals Liverpool.

The Reds last won the title in 1990, 26 years ago, and have not won the Premier League since the division's inception in 1992.

Since then Manchester United have won 13; however, the last of those came when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of the club in 2013.

With their title chances already gone this season, Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with taking over from Louis van Gaal in the summer.

"I think if they bring someone else in, it is a huge decision because if this doesn’t go right, it could be a long cycle," Ferdinand said.

"We don’t want to be a repeat of what Liverpool have gone through. Manchester United don’t want that long time in the wilderness of not really winning or being successful and not challenging for titles.

"That can’t afford to happen at Man United. The problem they’ve got now is who they choose."

Liverpool have also only won one major trophy in the last 10 years, the 2012 League Cup, but crashed out of the FA Cup to West Ham United on Wednesday night. They are in the final of the League Cup.

However, Ferdinand admitted he wasn't sure if the right route was to go with Mourinho, or the second favourite, former team-mate Ryan Giggs.

"Are they going to go for someone who has had success, who knows how to manage teams like Jose Mourinho, or will they go with someone who is already in the house like Ryan Giggs?" he added.

"That’s the problem they have got and the questions that have to be asked. If I knew the answer to that question, I would be the CEO."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in