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Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has praised Erik ten Hag for transforming the atmosphere around Carrington. Notably impressed, Ferdinand praised the positive changes he saw in the club’s training camp.
A familiar face returns
The former United defender was pictured in Carrington (via The Daily Mail) as he had come to interview Bruno Fernandes as a BT Sport pundit ahead of United’s Europa League second leg against Barcelona.
The thrilling first leg ended 2-2 at Camp Nou, leaving everything on the line at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The iconic defender-turned-expert treated himself to a stroll through Carrington. The 44-year-old insisted that the club’s positive transformation was palpable. The upbeat energy surrounding the ground is a welcome change.
United were once a force to be reckoned with, but have since been deprived of a title for nearly a decade.
the change has come
Ferdinand said on his YouTube FIVE show: “The vibes at Carrington and Old Trafford have changed dramatically.
“It has become more positive, the atmosphere in the place. Even the cafeteria has changed.”
“It’s like everything has changed. It looks different, it feels different, the food is different.”
“The feeling when you enter, I have had very negative vibrations [in the past] when I’ve walked the halls of the training ground.
“I was alone, walking back through the training ground, through the halls, and I just stood there and just smiled. I can feel that something is happening here now. I don’t know what it is or where it goes, but the atmosphere is very different. There is confidence in the place”.
“And trust isn’t just about the players, it’s about the staff. I can feel something with the staff. They are more optimistic, happy to be at work every day.
And all of that has been generated and created by Erik ten Hag and his management team and some people behind the scenes because there is no one person who can change the whole culture of a football club – it is a collective approach.”
Old Trafford keep dreaming
United’s renaissance has been almost unstoppable under new boss Ten Hag. The club is third in the Premier League and still has a slim hope of lifting the title.
The Red Devils are just five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Also, United have a chance to win the League Cup final this Sunday. Only Newcastle United stands in their way. The club last lifted the trophy in 2017.
“It’s the right path at the moment, and since they’re still competing for four trophies, I don’t think they’re going to win four,” added Ferdinand. “It’s good to go to Carrington and Old Trafford and feel more optimistic than negative.”
