Rio Ferdinand has ripped into Manchester United's recruitment strategy and singled out Jonny Evans as someone who "shouldn't even be there" right now.
United ended their disappointing Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday. That did not prevent them from finishing in their lowest-ever position (eighth) since the division was rebranded in 1992, however, while the Red Devils also recorded a negative goal difference (-1) for the first time in 34 years.
They now face Manchester City in the FA Cup final next Saturday where Erik ten Hag will be fighting to save his job ahead of a possible huge summer of change at Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are expected to take a stranglehold of the football department, including recruitment and transfers.
That is something that must improve according to ex-United defender Ferdinand, who has slammed their decision to re-sign Evans last summer. The 36-year-old, who spent 11 years at the club earlier in his career, returned last July and penned a one-year deal after leaving Leicester.
"Jonny Evans, really, no disrespect – I love him – but really he shouldn't even be there," Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel. "Really, if you're looking at Man United being a progressive club [he shouldn't be there].
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"He's come in and probably been their best centre-back this season. And now you've got Casemiro playing there, just filling gaps, and respect to him for doing that, to put himself out there to do it."
Evans has made 29 appearances since returning to Old Trafford but is out of contract at the end of June. The same can be applied to Raphael Varane, who will leave United in the summer, while Anthony Martial is expected to depart upon the expiry of his deal after nine years at the club.
Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bisssaka and Christian Eriksen will enter the final year of their contracts this summer, along with Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay - though United have an option to extend the latter two by an extra year. It could mean that United may lose a fortune off players leaving.
Jonny Evans has made 18 starts for Manchester United this season (Getty Images)"We've got players going on free transfers who have cost us a fortune in wages and transfer fees," Ferdinand added. "And we've got players still sitting there with one year left on their deals who are going to probably just see them out and we'll get nothing for them.
"I can't remember off the top of my head, but there's about six or seven players who are on one year left on their deals and are going to just sit there and smoke it up, chill. The recruitment in and out has been poor.
"We can’t get rid of players, do you know why? Because on the way in their get given astronomical contracts that are above market value and that no-one else will pay if it goes wrong. So they sit there.
"Harry Maguire is a good example. West Ham wanted him, they're willing to pay him half what he was earning at Manchester United, but Harry Maguire [says no]. I'd be the same. What do you mean go and get half? And uproot my family? No thanks."
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