Ruben Amorim's summer transfer plans will be defined by Europa League final results against Spurs but Rio Ferdinand reckons there are a handful of players who have proven they can understand the head coach's tactical plan
Rio Ferdinand has named eight Manchester United players who have shown signs of fitting into Ruben Amorim’s tactical system - despite the former defender believing the head coach would love to ship 10 stars out and bring in a similar amount this summer.
United head into Wednesday night’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in a slightly more relaxed mood than their opponents but success or failure in Bilbao will determine how extensive the desired overhaul of Amorim’s squad will be this summer. Qualifying for the Champions League will increase the club’s budget significantly and attract bigger name players compared to if they are not in European competition at all next season.
But Ferdinand does feel that a handful of players, led by club captain Bruno Fernandes, have shown they are able to succeed in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.
“I think he's got a lot of players,” Ferdinand said. “Bruno, (Alejandro) Garnacho, Amad, (Noussair) Mazraoui has done a decent job when he's come in, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, (Matthijs) De Ligt, Casemiro, again, has adapted.”
Ferdinand thinks it would be ludicrous for United to change head coach again if Amorim is unable to win tonight’s final against Spurs because he is yet to have a transfer window to shape his squad.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss is starting to receive criticism because of their dismal Premier League campaign, which has seen 18 defeats with a game to go.
But they have reached tonight's final unbeaten in Europe and the TNT Sports pundit added: “I'm not saying all of those players are the right players by the way because I think the biggest problem they've got is recruitment.
"They've got to recruit not the best players, not the most talented players, the players that fit Amorim's style of playing, which is a physical style of player, dynamic, aggressive, powerful runner who can understand hus tactics.
"Once he gets a few of those players on board I genuinely think you'll see a different output from this team."