Rio Ferdinand, former Manchester United player and current pundit, has criticized the presence of Jonny Evans at the club, stating that his signing is proof that the Red Devils are lagging behind top clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool. Evans, who left United in 2015, returned to the club eight years later on a one-year deal. Initially joining the youth team and training away from the first team, Evans was quickly integrated into the first team set-up by manager Erik ten Hag and has played 17 out of 27 Premier League matches this season.
Despite being impressed with Evans’ performances, Ferdinand believes that the veteran defender “shouldn’t be at the club.” He praised Evans for his skills with the ball and mentoring of younger players, suggesting that he may pursue coaching in the future. Ferdinand expressed surprise at Evans’ success and speculated that he could potentially earn a new contract with United or another club due to his strong performances.
Ferdinand highlighted the fact that Evans’ presence at United reflects the club’s current situation, stating that top clubs do not typically sign aging center-backs. He emphasized that United’s reliance on Evans to play against top strikers like Erling Haaland indicates their struggles and injuries. Despite acknowledging Evans’ professionalism and abilities, Ferdinand believes that United should not be in a position where they need to rely on him.
The criticism from Rio Ferdinand sheds light on the challenges facing Manchester United and raises questions about their transfer strategy and squad depth. As the club continues to navigate a challenging season, it remains to be seen how they will address their defensive issues moving forward.