Rio Ferdinand backs Erik ten Hag to pass new dressing room test at Manchester United

Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand is backing manager Erik ten Hag to maintain high standards at Old Trafford this season.

Following a disastrous 2021/22 campaign, Ten Hag transformed United's fortunes in his first season in charge, leading them to a top-four finish and their first piece of silverware in six years. He successfully ended the player-power era and created a warm and vibrant atmosphere within the squad and throughout the whole club.

His strict approach to discipline played a key role in that achievement, laying down the law to his players and making it clear that nobody would cross him without punishment. It was an approach that paid dividends in more ways than one.

However, following the addition of three new faces this summer and the sales of senior players so far proving slow, Ten Hag, ahead of next week's game against Wolves, has got a big squad to manage and a lot of players to try and keep happy.

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Despite that challenge, Ferdinand is confident that Ten Hag can succeed in that department without too many issues.

"I think in any successful team you need to keep big players happy," admitted Ferdinand. "Invariably you have 22 players and all of them expect to play, and we know that can't happen for everybody, and you've got to be able to handle that.

"And that's a huge, huge part of any manager's job, being able to handle people, personalities, characters, and that's a test that Ten Hag's going to have to face this season.

"He seems he's alright with doing that, because...