As Erik ten Hag wakes to another morning of media narratives and speculation regarding his position as Manchester United manager, social media is awash with imagery of Rio Ferdinand’s embrace with Thomas Tuchel.
Now, this may seem like harmless fun and nothing more than unnecessary bravado from an outspoken individual in the public eye, but the ramifications of these actions are undeniable.
Tuchel, in the eyes of many, is well-placed to walk into the Old Trafford hot seat, with ‘agent Rio’ jokingly referencing the topic on live television following yesterday’s Champions League semi-final in Madrid.
Regardless of his intentions, these public showings are undermining the managerial bodies and doing nothing but adding further fuel to a relentless social debate.
A notable legacy issue at Manchester United
While Ferdinand’s actions are unsurprising, he is not the only culprit in this unnecessary show of public ex-player power, with Paul Scholes a perennial offender.
The legendary midfielder made 718 appearances for the club, scoring 155 goals and cementing his legacy as one of the finest players in the game’s history.
He has collected numerous accolades, trophies and recognition from iconic footballers while also springing a surprise return from retirement to aid the Great Scot.
Since then, the Greater Manchester-born co-owner of Salford City has offered his opinion on the club since his final fixture against West Brom on 19 May, 2013.
A history of damaging public statements
I will be the first to admit that David Moyes was out of his depth in Manchester, and his methods proved largely unacceptable at M16.
Still, his task wasn’t made any easier by former players, as rekindled in the Guardian in 2018. The nature of the public destruction delivered by Scholes left the dressing room silent, with Moyes later confirming that “He’s killed me there”.
Louis van Gaal arrived in July 2014 with a career many could only dream of. Unsurprisingly, the 49-year-old was not an admirer, publicly stating: “The style is not something that Sir Alex Ferguson would have adhered to.”
Next came the mighty Jose Mourinho, and despite a worldwide reputation with multiple success stories, he became the latest to feel the wrath of the man who was once famed for doing his talking on the pitch.
Having qualified for the Champions League in 2018, Scholes focused on the underwhelming performance against Young Boys, slamming Mourinho and his setup in one of his many outbursts against the Portuguese great.
Former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was regularly targeted in the media and received heavy criticism from the ex-player following a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Scholes stated, “Ole has been here three years now, and we’ve come here today not really knowing what he’s going to do.”
Ralf Rangnick arrived on an interim basis in December 2021, effectively declaring war on the mistreatment of the football club, while laying a public blueprint for remedy.
Following an unsavoury elimination from the Champions League in March 2022, Scholes again took aim and stated his former club required “a proper coach”.
Ten Hag is the latest in a long line of managerial appointments post-Ferguson, and, again, the former midfielder has set his sights on the Dutchman since the beginning of the campaign.
Unsurprisingly, the ever-opinionated Scholes saw fit to openly criticise his tactics and control of his side as detailed by the Express in December 2023.
Ferdinand and Scholes are not the only culprits for this toxic behaviour, but there is only so much one person can share at any given time.
The above examples are but a sample; there are many more, and they highlight the undeniable damage these respected individuals can cause.
You know as well as I do that paper will never refuse ink, and Manchester United will always attract attention.
Nonetheless, during a period where player power is rampant, we must not disregard the damage caused by those from days gone by, particularly legendary figures within Old Trafford.
The managerial position at the Theatre of Dreams is the most coveted and the most damaging of any in the game.
Say what you will about constructive criticism, but it would be made significantly easier without the harm caused by those who know this all too well.
Have your say in the comments below or across our social channels.
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