Rio Ferdinand has fired back at critics linking Sir Alex Ferguson to Manchester United’s decline. The former Red Devil launched a fierce social media rebuttal.
He dismissed the claims as absolute nonsense.
United have struggled since their last top-flight triumph in the 2012-13 season, Ferguson’s final campaign. That title marked their 20th English league win. Under Ruben Amorim, United now sit 14th and trail the top four by 14 points. A FA Cup exit to Fulham has forced their season to rely on a Europa League run.
Gary Lineker and Jason Cundy have both questioned Ferguson’s legacy. Lineker blamed the decline on the state in which David Moyes inherited the squad. Cundy argued that the side Ferguson left was not built for long-term success. Their comments have stirred passionate debate in football circles.
Jason Cundy voiced his discontent on talkSPORT. He claimed Ferguson’s squad lacked the planning needed for future challenges. Jamie O’Hara countered by saying that blaming Ferguson now misses the point. Despite the criticism, United’s struggles cannot be pinned solely on Ferguson.
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Ferdinand defended the legendary manager with hard-hitting facts. He noted that the average age of the squad Sir Alex left was 26.6 years old—a blend of youth and experience. He listed the attacking players in two groups: Rooney (27), RVP (29), Chicharito (25), Welbeck (22), and Zaha (20); then Nani (26), Ashley Young (27), Lingard (20), Kagawa (24), Valencia (27), and Januzaj (18).
He supported his argument with data from Transfermarkt. Ferdinand pointed out that the squad boasted 19 international players. He also highlighted United’s net spend of €1.27 billion (£1.05bn) since the 2014-15 season. The club once won the league by an 11-point margin under Ferguson’s reign. He labeled the current criticisms as “a load of nonsense.”
Gary Lineker drew comparisons with Liverpool’s state under Jurgen Klopp. He argued that Klopp left his club in much better shape, setting up Arne Slot for success. Lineker claimed that United’s decline began when their academy stopped producing quality players. The contrasting structures of Liverpool and United have only fueled the debate.
In summary, Ferdinand stands firm in defending Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy. He champions the robust squad that Ferguson built at Old Trafford. His data and direct social media posts effectively counter the criticism from Lineker and Cundy. The fiery debate continues, but Ferdinand’s defense of Ferguson remains unyielding.
