Rio Ferdinand has insisted that only one Manchester United star has “consistently” produced at a high level ahead of Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim will leave Sporting CP and succeed former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag at Manchester United from 11th November.
Erik ten Hag was axed from United last week after the Red Devils’ poor Premier League start to the season, with the club currently 13th in the league table.
United triggered the £9.25m release clause in Amorim’s Sporting CP contract, with the 39-year-old Portuguese considered one of Europe’s fastest-rising managers.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in charge of United after Ten Hag’s sacking and will see his interim spell end after the start of the November international break.
Ferdinand talks Man Utd problems
Ruben Amorim made a statement of intent on Tuesday evening after Sporting CP sealed a sensational 4-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League.
Sporting CP came from behind after striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has been linked with Manchester United, scored a stunning hat-trick against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Speaking ahead of the Champions League clash, Rio Ferdinand was part of TNT Sports’ coverage and the United legend highlighted the problems at the Red Devils.
“These players are in a desperate state,” he said on TNT Sports.
“We’ve been in changing rooms where things aren’t going well. You’re clutching at straws and clinging to any type of positivity.
“A new manager comes in now with the reputation he’s got. These players have not performed for a long period of time.
“There might have been the odd performance here or there, but [doing it] consistently is what delivers trophies over a sustained period of time. None of them can sit there and say they’ve done that.”
Ferdinand on Man Utd star
Ferdinand singled out United captain Bruno Fernandes as the only player at Old Trafford who has consistently performed at the Red Devils.
Bruno Fernandes is widely considered the best United signing since legendary former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of Old Trafford in 2013.
The 30-year-old Portugal midfielder ascended to the United captaincy under former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag and has been a key first-team player for the club.
Ferdinand believes that Red Devils players outside of Fernandes will be asking incoming United manager Amorim to bring out the best potential in them.
“Bruno [Fernandes] is the only one probably close,” he said.
“But all the others will be sitting there saying, ‘Please bring some performances out of myself, help me to become the player that everyone thinks I can be, that my potential suggests I can be because right now I am not delivering.’
“If they’re honest about it, that’s what they’ll be saying. Hands out saying please pull me along.”
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