Woodward would be ‘naive’ to axe Solskjaer as Man Utd legend Ferdinand backs under-pressure boss
ED WOODWARD would be “naive” to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, says Rio Ferdinand – who has given his backing to the under-pressure boss.
The Old Trafford legend, 40, believes the board will know the Norwegian just needs time to get the best out of his squad – with Mark Robins saying he may even need TEN transfer windows.
Ferdinand doesn’t believe Woodward is that naive, but did admit things need to pick up soon for Solskjaer and the club’s sake.
The ex-England defender told talkSPORT: “There’s no way the club would have thought this would be rosy straight away.
“They’re not naive enough to think that it was going to be a situation where he just changes it overnight.
“This is definitely something where there is going to be early pain, there is going to be a situation where the results are not going to go our way.
“…Especially with the new recruitment that they’ve started to go with younger players.
“That’s why I don’t see there being a change straight away. I’d be very surprised if I wake up, open a paper or an app and see that he has gone so quickly.”
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Ferdinand went on to say he is surprised – and almost disappointed – that Man Utd are being forced to rely on a 21-year-old signed from Swansea.
Daniel James was brought in this summer, earmarked as one for the future – but has instantly become arguably the club’s best, and most consistent, player.
Ferdinand continued: “I don’t think they expected what they have got from Daniel James so early, he’s been very good and probably their most influential so far.
“What does that say about the squad?
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“When you’re buying someone from Swansea who was probably brought as someone who could flourish at a later date, who has now been forced into the forefront as the main man in the team at the moment.
“That says where United are at this minute and I think time is something that is needed. It’s not afforded to too many people in the game at the moment.
“Ole probably needs another window to get more people in, shuffle the pack and get more out, then you can really start to judge him on that.”