While some former Manchester United players have been reluctant to call for the dismissal of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rio Ferdinand has taken a stronger stance.
The 43-year-old, who spent more than a decade at Old Trafford, has been at odds with the likes of Gary Neville in his assessment of United’s season, which has seen Solskjaer’s position come under threat after a run of poor results.
Ferdinand has suggested Erik ten Hag could be a good fit for the United job, while expressing his frustration at the team’s struggles as the prospect of a finish outside the top four becomes a genuine worry.
And now, he has doubled down on his Solskjaer stance, repeating his feeling that a change needs to be made.
“We’re all quick to talk about players, [saying] players should be out the window, should never wear the shirt again, so, it’s got to be the same for the managers,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport.
“I’m not saying I’m enjoying saying a manager should lose his job, I’m just saying things aren’t going well, so maybe there needs to be a change if you want to improve things.
“I think that’s just an honest assessment of things and that’s what I’m paid to do is give an honest assessment – whether it’s friends, former teammates or people that I don’t know, I treat them all the same.”
The ex-defender was asked why he was in a minority of former United players calling for Solskjaer’s dismissal, amid reluctance from the likes of Neville to take a similar stance.
“Everyone deals with situations differently and I think you’ve got to respect that,” Ferdinand argued.
“I respect that other people have different ways of doing things, and their opinions and approach to this situation is different, but that’s life and in all walks of life it’s the same.
“I see it the way I see it and I’ll stand by that and I’m very comfortable and confident with saying what I want to say.”
Ferdinand’s comments come after Neville reiterated his stance on Solskjaer’s future, having previously expressed his reluctance to call for the Norwegian’s sacking.
“When I see another pundit calling for any sacking, I cringe. My stomach turns,” Neville told The Mail, reiterating that arguing for a sacking is “not my style”.
“My line is crossed with that. Maybe their line is in a different place.”
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