‘They’ve let stuff slide too much. They’ve got to be drilled those people’
Rio Ferdinand has criticised the Manchester United hierarchy for ‘letting stuff slide too much’, claiming that there are several players and agents who seek to cause disruption at the club.
The Red Devils scraped past Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Monday, with Scott McTominay’s first-half header enough to send them into the next round.
Despite securing the victory, United benefitted from two VAR decisions as Steven Gerrard’s men had two goals ruled out for offside.
Ferdinand has questioned the club’s leniency towards outspoken players, arguing that they haven’t been harsh enough in their decision making.
Speaking on his Youtube channel, former United defender Ferdinand said: “I think Man United’s biggest mistake they’ve made in recent years is allowing certain players and people externally who are part of players’ circles and networks to disrespect the club publicly.
“They haven’t slammed the door shut in their face and really put them people in the place they should be.
“You can’t allow that because the minute you allow that once, one step out of line, other players and people in their circles start thinking ‘oh he got away with it, I’ll say my thing because there’s no repercussions, my player isn’t going to come under any type of fire at the club,’ no.
“You nail that person immediately and I don’t understand… that’s the mistake hierarchy at the football club in recent years have done poorly.
“They’ve let stuff slide too much. They’ve got to be drilled those people.”
Recent reports have suggested that a number of first-team players are unhappy with the club’s current situation and are keen on a move away from Old Trafford.
Ferdinand – who made over 300 league appearances for United – stated that while he understands certain player’s situations, the club need to get rid of the ‘bad eggs’.
He added: “Donny van de Beek, I understand someone like him being unhappy but from what I hear not a moaner, he gets on with it and isn’t going to tell his agent to speak in the media or spill the beans so that he looks like a certain type of character.
“Jesse Lingard [too]. They just want to play football.
“There will be players who are going to be bad eggs and say that if I don’t play I’m going to make it uncomfortable for everybody.
“Those players, get out. You go to the manager and tell the manager ‘get rid of that geezer, he’s a disgrace in our changing room, he’s ruining it and he’s going to get beat up at some point.”
Ralf Rangnick’s side face Villa again at the weekend, this time travelling to Villa Park to face them in the Premier League.
Related links:
- Ralf Rangnick ‘doesn’t know’ why Marcus Rashford is struggling
- Steven Gerrard trolls Man Utd fans after Aston Villa FA Cup defeat
- Ronaldo instructs Jorge Mendes to find new club if Man Utd farce continues
