Rio Ferdinand calls for 'fresh ideas' at Man United

Jose Mourinho's departure from Manchester United has come at "the right time", according to former Red Devils captain Rio Ferdinand.

Published : Dec 19, 2018 00:01 IST

Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho left United 17 games into his third season with the club.
Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho left United 17 games into his third season with the club.
lightbox-info

Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho left United 17 games into his third season with the club.

Rio Ferdinand feels the time had come for Jose Mourinho to go and believes the club requires an "injection of positivity" during what has been a difficult campaign so far.

Mourinho, who won the Premier League three times across two spells with Chelsea, left United 17 games into his third season with the club, United sitting 19 points behind leader Liverpool.

READ | The mystique has gone as United spell ends in divorce

In his role as a television pundit, Ferdinand had been critical of Mourinho's treatment of the club's younger players in recent weeks after the Portuguese suggested Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford were "lacking maturity".

The former United captain believes Jose Mourinho had taken Manchester United as far as he could prior to his departure from Old Trafford.

"Right now is the right time," Ferdinand wrote in an Instagram post.

"Things aren't improving and he has taken it as far as he can. I was one of his biggest advocates two and a half years ago when he joined the club and felt he stabilised [Manchester United] when we needed it.

WATCH | Jose Mourinho on the defensive - Best bits

"You can't ignore what Jose has achieved as a manager previously but I feel the time has come for fresh ideas.

"People have been critical of my comments on TV of late but as a fan I am saying it as I see it. The club needs an injection of positivity and hopefully this decision will allow that to happen.

"I wish Jose all the best and wish him well for the future," said Ferdinand.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment