Rio Ferdinand says no one should be shocked if Manchester United lose the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur but he says Ruben Amorim must be given time and money this summer
Rio Ferdinand reckons only a “lunatic” would be shocked to see Manchester United lose Wednesday night's Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.
But the club legend believes Ruben Amorim must be given significant backing in the transfer window regardless of whether they are in next season’s Champions League or not.
Otherwise the head coach has no chance of implementing his vision because, Ferdinand believes, the current group is simply not equipped to execute what he wants.
Asked how he feels supporters will react should they be beaten by Spurs, Ferdinand said: “I don't think the fans can be too surprised. They beat us three times already this season, so it's not going to be a surprise if they beat us a fourth time.
“I think it's only going to be stupid people that are going, ‘Oh my god, I can't believe this.’ “We're 16th because we've lost a lot of games. 18 Premier League games we've lost this season. Anyone who's surprised if we don't win this game against Spurs is a lunatic, in my eyes.”
Regardless Ferdinand believes Amorim needs to be afforded plenty of support from club chiefs this summer - even if the calibre of player he can potentially sign will be determined by tomorrow night’s result.
Ferdinand believes it is “mind-blowing” for anyone to suggest Amorim should change his style and instead says it is simply a case of signing players with the right attributes to meet his style.
“He needs time.," Ferdinand added. "He hasn’t had a pre-season or a transfer window. It’s difficult, it takes time. You have to give them time to be able to implement what they want to do. He's having to change a whole style of football, a whole new formation. You ask a player what it's like to play from a four at the back to three at the back, it's hard to do that..
“The biggest problem is recruitment. They've got to recruit not the best players, not the most talented players, but the players that fit Amorim’s style.”
Watch the UEFA Europa League Final exclusively live on TNT Sports and discovery+ the home of European football from 6pm. Wednesday 21 st May