MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand believes almost every player at the club is ‘a shadow of their former self’ as he questioned Ralf Rangnick’s management.
The Red Devils are currently way down in seventh in the Premier League after blowing a two-goal lead to draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November before he was replaced in the dug-out by interim boss Rangnick.
But things have failed to improve with Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview last week criticising some of the younger players in the squad failing to help matters.
Now Ferdinand has backed his ex-Old Trafford team-mate and insists United have failed to raise their game since Rangnick took charge.
Speaking on the Vibe with Five podcast, he said: “The manager talked in his first press conference about improving players and I’m still yet to see that.
“Has he had enough time on the training ground will be his argument I’m sure. But these players need improvement because they’re not doing it.
“Almost every player, to a man, is a shadow of their former self. I don’t see anyone going best the levels they were at before as yet.
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“Great managers improve people. We’ve seen what Thomas Tuchel’s done at Chelsea in that short space of time.
“We saw players elevate and become better players, consistently for a sustained period of time.
“Rudiger, before Tuchel came in, wasn’t even getting stripped. They were trying to sell him, his confidence couldn’t be any lower. He’s rejuvenated. Alonso has come while Chilwell has been injured. Rejuvenated. Playing well. Reece James went another level.
“He created an environment where the players felt comfortable. You do need the results but you’ve got to start getting it from somewhere.”
United take on Brentford on Wednesday and still have two games in hand on fourth-placed West Ham, who sit three points above them in the table.
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