Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Rio Ferdinand slams ‘mad lies’ over Man Utd job report, but can’t resist jibe about how he’d fare

Rio Ferdinand, Wolves v Man Utd January 2020

Rio Ferdinand has shut down reports claiming that he has put himself forward to be the assistant to the new manager at Manchester United.

The Red Devils are seeking a new permanent coach following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November. Ajax’s Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino of Paris Saint-Germain are the frontrunners.

In fact, Man Utd have had their first interview with Ten Hag. Despite feeling impressed at his work from afar, the formal talks reportedly raised concerns for the Red Devils.

Furthermore, the 52-year-old has his own worries about stepping into the Old Trafford dugout.

In any case, a recent report from Stretty News claimed that United want a former player as the assistant to their new manager.

The outlet also claimed that ex-Red Devils centre-back Ferdinand had put himself forward. However, club chiefs felt ‘unconvinced’ by the 43-year-old’s offer.

Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand thoroughly dismissed the claims.

“I’ve been online, I’m meant to be applying or putting myself forward for the assistant manager’s job at Manchester United – I don’t know who gets this mad news but when have you pressed the send button and thought you’re not going to get me come back and go ‘actually, no I ain’t so what you chatting about?” the pundit said.

Erik ten Hag and Manchester United hold talks about manager position

Erik ten Hag and Manchester United hold talks about manager position

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has met with Manchester United and had positive talks about becoming the new Man United manager

“Whoever has told you that, you need to go back to your source and say ‘listen man’.”

Still, Ferdinand did tease how he would stamp his mark on the current squad if he did take the job.

“But, if I did go in there – ooh, the whip would be getting cracked, crack that whip. But no I’m not, I’m not going in there.”

Nevertheless, Ferdinand added that he still has solid relationships with insiders at the club.

Ferdinand has Man Utd relations

Jermaine Jenas, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand working as BT Sport pundits

“I’ve got a good relationship with the club, good relationship with the people that work there,” the pundit added.

“I know a lot of the guys that are playing there, know a lot of the guys behind the scenes – you know I love the club man.

“Manchester United is my heart, I love it. I grew up at West Ham – love West Ham.

“Played all my years, all my best years especially, at Manchester United and love the club, kids support but the club but listen I ain’t coaching at United.

“You heard it here first yeah, them mad lies – find out who that geezer [the person responsible for the rumours] is man.”

Former Man Utd stars’ links to Old Trafford

While Ferdinand has ruled out a move into coaching with Man Utd, the club has a history of re-employing former players.

While Solskjaer was most recently the United manager, ex-Red Devils stars Darren Fletcher, Nicky Butt and Mike Phelan were part of his coaching staff.

Fletcher has since become the Man Utd technical director.

Before Solskjaer stepped in, Ryan Giggs was the interim United player-manger in 2014 after David Moyes got the sack in 2014.

However, Ferdinand will seemingly not be following in his former team-mate’s footsteps.