Rio Ferdinand is baffled by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s initial recruitment plans for Man Utd as he questions the move to left field
RIO FERDINAND has raised concerns about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s transfer plans ahead of his 25 per cent takeover.
The British billionaire completes the purchase of a quarter of Manchester United from the Glazers this week.
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Ratcliffe wants to take responsibility for football operations and will launch an investigation into poor signings that have cost the club over £1bn in recent years.
It could spell the end for bosses such as Richard Arnold, John Murtough and Darren Fletcher, with the INEOS owner already lining up his successors.
Highly-rated director Paul Mitchell, who has worked with Southampton, Tottenham, RB Leipzig and Monaco, has been linked with a move to Man Utd.
However, shocking reports have emerged that Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman is also on Ratcliffe’s radar.
He has been sporting director at Selhurst Park since 2017.
But it’s a move Ferdinand isn’t sure about, he explains Mood with Five Show: “His name came out of left field. No disrespect, but I can’t remember anyone saying, ‘Wow, look at what Palace are doing.’
“Paul Mitchell, I understand, he has done good things in the past and the same goes for Michael Edwards and Julian Ward at Liverpool.”
“They have done a number of successful jobs which are recognized, as has Dan Ashworth at England, then at Brighton and now at Newcastle.”
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“You can understand that, but nobody says that about Palace.”
“Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi are three players who were good signings, but for each of them there are others who didn’t work out.”
“They don’t have a reputation that makes you understand why United would choose him.”
“Dan Ashworth has been in these roles before, but John Murtough has worked in roles that are not football based.”
“He helped out behind the scenes, but not in football.”
Ratcliffe wants to get to work as soon as possible and SunSport exclusively revealed he could give Erik ten Hag a transfer fund in January to address a slow start to the season.
But Ferdinand fears this may not solve United’s market problems.
He said: “Ratcliffe pays 25 per cent and gets full control of the football team.”
“He controls all the details and all the recruiting.”
“It’s a big risk. You can’t say he’s been hugely successful before.”
“I hope he gets to the point and presents his submission.”
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