Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand fears that the Red Devils will bear a title drought on the scale of bitter rivals – Liverpool – if they again fail to work out their next managerial appointment in the right direction.
Ferdinand bagged six Premier League silverwares during his spell at Old Trafford, although they slipped down in the seventh position during his last season at Old Trafford amid David Moyes’ disastrous time as Alex Ferguson’s successor.
Louis van Gaal then guided back United to the Champions League last term, but they were once again eliminated in the group stages of Europe’s elite competition and currently sits 12 points behind league leaders Leicester City in fifth after being pushed back to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Liverpool won the last of their 18 English title crowns in the 1989-90 season before Alex Ferguson ushered in the Red Devil’s period of dominance.
That is what van Gaal has merely appeared ready to replicate and the Dutch tactician’s relation with a major section of the Manchester United fanbase has fallen increasingly this term and after Manchester City announced that Pep Guardiola will be their next manager from 2016-17 campaign has also increased the clamour in some portions for United hierarchy to make their much awaited move for Jose Mourinho, reprising the pair’s Clasico battles since their managerial battle from the Barcelona and Real Madrid spell.
Ferdinand thinks United would be right to promote from within when they handed club icon, Ryan Giggs, the chance to take on the managerial post he briefly held after Moyes departure if van Gaal is sacked at the end of this season.
“I think if they bring someone else in, it is a huge decision because if this doesn’t go right, it could be a long cycle,” Ferdinand told Network 1 Media
“We don’t want to be a repeat of what Liverpool have gone through. Manchester United don’t want that long time in the wilderness of not really winning or being successful and not challenging for titles.
“That can’t afford to happen at Man United. The problem they’ve got now is who they choose.
“Are they going to go for someone who has had success, who knows how to manage teams like Jose Mourinho or will they go with someone who is already in the house like Ryan Giggs.
“That’s the problem they have got and the questions that have to be asked. If I knew the answer to that question, I would be the CEO.”