Rio Ferdinand has met with Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to discuss the club’s vacant sporting director role, according to the Daily Mail.
Woodward is said to be seriously considering the decision to bring Ferdinand back to United, where he spent 12 years as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Although we’ve seen no evidence as of yet, United are said to be restructuring the club for more efficient future under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who this summer we start to rebuild the squad.
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However, according to the Daily Mail article, Woodward likes the idea of bringing Ferdinand in because of his United history and subsequent business experience. Ferdinand, for those unaware, boasts a clothing company and restaurant.
Being a pundit on BT Sport, Woodward should know how Ferdinand’s mind works in a football capacity. The former England international was a critic of José Mourinho during his time in charge and was very vocal about giving the job to Solskjaer.
Ferdinand captained United and won six Premier League titles, one Champions League and the League Cup. He was Solskjaer’s teammate between 2002 and 2007.
However, he is not the only ex-Red linked with the sporting director role, with Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel both previously tipped as candidates.
Here’s how several United fans reacted to the Rio story on Twitter.
In the past week, we’ve had rumours that Mike Phelan will become our technical director. Then, we had rumours that Darren Fletcher will organise the recruitment. Now, we’ve got rumours that Rio Ferdinand will be our new DOF. What’s next, Bebe for chief scout?
— Ryan. 🔴 (@Vintage_Utd) April 29, 2019
If the story saying Rio Ferdinand is true he’s being looked at for director of football then it’s a start he’s very bright, has contacts especially with the England youth setup he mentors a lot of them, has great business sense as well, these are the moves we need
— molarrow (@molloarrow) April 30, 2019
I know some of our fans are not for having Rio Ferdinand as director of football, But look what’s going on at Ajax
— Matthew (@Carrick4united) April 30, 2019
I can’t be the only person thinking most of the links for the DOF role so far have been comical at best. Latest of which is Rio Ferdinand. 🙄🤦♂️ #MUFC 🎪
— Jonny Briggs (@JonnyBriggs6) April 30, 2019
Whether or not this would represent a good appointment is another discussion, but wait, wasn’t Rio Ferdinand still unemployed in January? No better time to address a problem on the eve of a transfer window rather than months in advance. https://t.co/uQmKZMEvic
— Chris Winterburn (@cmwinterburn) April 29, 2019
Rio Ferdinand wouldn’t be a bad shout in terms of being a director of football at United
— Matthew (@Carrick4united) April 29, 2019
Reports of Rio Ferdinand being United’s new Sporting Director! He’s a decent pundit and ex World Class Defender but come on…..We’re Manchester United. The old boys job for the boys nonsense needs to stop. Go and get the best who are qualified to do the job for God’s sake
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) April 29, 2019
I heard they’ve asked Dwight Yorke to be in charge of player discipline and Roy Keane is going to organise positive attitude therapy at the weekends.
— Paul (@yellapiss) April 29, 2019
Great player but a “strong candidate” based on what? #MUFC are rudderless. Ed Woodward completely out of his depth.
— Michael Kelleher (@M__Kelleher) April 29, 2019
What on earth would ever qualify Rio for this job
— Ryan (@TheRealRYAN1987) April 29, 2019
All for keeping all the old boys involved in the club to an extent … But this no way … Doesn’t merit it nor has he the experience … If you want “Club DNA” Get VDS from Ajax … If you want a shrude business man get Paul Mitchell .. 2 options
— Stuart Kennedy 🔰 (@KennedyStuart90) April 29, 2019
Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please let this be a joke. Please…
— Indy Boonan (@IBoonan) April 30, 2019
