When it comes to comments from Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, it’s all about reading between the lines. The center-back spoke earlier today about manager David Moyes’ job at United.
“The manager beforehand was an individual. There won’t be anyone like him, you can’t expect anyone to fill his boots exactly the same way,” Ferdinand told Sky Sport News. “I don’t think you can draw comparisons with them yet, we need to give the manager time.”
Ferdinand’s words will serve as some much-needed fresh air in Moyes’ increasingly stuffy Old Trafford office. The new United manager has been under the gun of late for a number of issues, not the least of which is his failure to bring in any fresh blood besides the relatively unknown 20 year old full-back from Penarol, Guillermo Varela.
Ferdinand, perhaps unsurprisingly, looks at Moyes job by putting himself in Moyes’ position: “I just look at it how I would be in the job,” Ferdinand said. “Would you lean on players that have been here for many years for the experience and ask questions to better yourself? Course you would so you expect that.”
If this is beginning to sound like Ferdinand is trying to subliminally send Moyes messages on how to manage, that’s because he is. But just to make sure the Scot hears him out, Ferdinand issued a direct approach as well.
“I think the manager’s fortunate he’s got someone like Giggsy among others like myself who have been here for many years and know the fabric of the club,” Ferdinand explained. “If there’s anything we can pass on through experience to help him be a better manager and help us win trophies then fantastic.”
In other words, Moyes should not only be prepared to hear Ferdinand’s opinion all season long but to heed it to his own detriment.