Rio warns Man Utd over manager snub after ‘season over’

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United’s season is over after a performance that summed up their season against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

The United legend described the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford as another Jekyll and Hyde performance as they were dumped out of the Champions League to leave them without any hope of a trophy again this season.

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United do still have a chance of securing a Champions League qualification spot, but Ferdinand doesn’t fancy their chances with Arsenal one point clear with three more games left to play than the Red Devils.

“For Man United, the season to me seems over – what is there to really achieve?” he said on BT Sport.

“(In the Premier League United) are floundering behind Arsenal if they win their games in hand.

“Tonight was really a reflection of what the season has been like – there have been moments where they have been good, but far too often it is Jekyll and Hyde performances. We did not see enough quality.”

United’s search for a new permanent manager will likely intensify in the wake of their Champions League exit.

Maurcio Pochettino and Erik ten Had are among the frontrunners to take over at Old Trafford, but Ferdinand has explained why top managers may be put off by the problems at United.

On the rebuilding job at Old Trafford, Ferdinand said: “There’s so much work to be done.

“If you are looking to come here, it is a great project to be a part of, but I think managers might look at others clubs because there is less pressure where the spotlight isn’t on them as much.”

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick queried some “curious refereeing decisions” after the game.

Rangnick said: “I think we played a very good first half – exactly the way we wanted to play with a high energy level but we couldn’t convert that into one or two goals.

“We had a few good moments where we should have scored but we didn’t. Conceding that counter-attacking goal just before half time didn’t make life any easier.

“It was hard in the second half and always interrupted. There was always somebody lying on the floor.

“I would also say some curious refereeing decisions. I wouldn’t say they were decisive but at least he fell too often for those time-wasting antics and four minutes at the end added on was a joke for me.”