The end of the season could not possibly come any quicker for Manchester United fans.Following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal and the subsequent appointment of Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis in November 2021, what should've been an exciting season has turned into their worst in Premier League history.A summer that saw them sign Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo after finishing the 2020/21 season as Premier League and Europa League runners up has not delivered on the excitement it teased fans with on paper. Instead, it has merely made an awful season feel even worse, as truths about severe mismanagement, poor recruitment and a rotting club have reared their ugly heads.Upon appointing Rangnick in November, who will take on a consultancy role at the end of the season, United fans were hopeful that a style of play could be worked into their team as the esteemed German began to sweep up the broken glass, ahead of the new permanent manager's arrival.That hasn't happened, though, with the Red Devils still looking as disjointed as ever on the pitch, last highlighted in a 4-0 mauling away to Brighton. Incoming manager Erik ten Hag has plenty of work to do from the summer, and interim boss Rangnick hasn't shied away from telling the truth about it, most recently begrudging United's refusal to consider signing a striker in the January transfer window.In recent weeks and months, Rangnick has spoken honestly to the press about United and his players, not afraid to throw criticism where he feels it is needed, and has even compared the task of their rebuild to performing open heart surgery.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: Ralf Rangnick, Interim Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor on February 08, 2022 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)But while many have enjoyed Rangnick's brutal honesty, former player Rio Ferdinand appears to have had enough of what the 63-year-old has to say.Speaking on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel (quoted by the Metro), Ferdinand expressed his frustrations with Rangnick: "It’s nice sometimes for fans, you want to get a bit of insight, but there’s information that he’s letting out [that he shouldn’t be]. "You’re still in the job, man, relax, have some respect for the people around you."He added: "I think his impatience with that and his frustrations are being born out in his interviews now. "I’ll be honest, if I was the club I wouldn’t allow him to do another press conference."Ferdinand further explained how Rangnick should be dealing with his grievances internally, admitting he doesn't 'want that stuff out in the media'."If I’m the person who’s running the club, I’d be saying: ‘Talk to us and we’ll work it out. You might not agree with what I’m saying but you’re employed by us, these are the rules, stay within the boundaries.’"A popular Manchester United fan account on Twitter relayed the quotes online, which also saw Ferdinand express his displeasure with Rangnick 'airing the dirty laundry in public', prompting a rampant response from fans.You can see the tweet below.
It's fair to say that there are plenty of people who appreciate Rangnick's refusal to mince his words, unlike Ferdinand.
With just a trip to Crystal Palace remaining in United's dismal 2021/22 campaign, Ferdinand won't have to hear Rangnick lambast the Red Devils for much longer, at least.
But while Rangnick will leave the dugout and take charge of the Austria national team, he will balance that job with his consultancy role at Old Trafford, meaning he isn't fully out of the picture.
It remains to be seen just how involved the 63-year-old will be going forward as Ten Hag takes the reigns, but regardless of his future, his damning assessments of United won't be forgotten anytime soon.