Rio Ferdinand explains why Erik ten Hag is 'rightly under pressure' at Manchester United

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Erik ten Hag is rightly under pressure because of the signings he has made since arriving at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has faced one of his more difficult weeks at United following back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Manchester City and Newcastle. MEN Sport understands some players are growing weary of the manager's project and are uncertain about the direction the club is heading in.

This has created speculation around Ten Hag's job security and has added pressure to United's clash with Fulham this lunchtime with the Reds now desperate for a result. Evaluating the current situation at the Theatre of Dreams, Ferdinand told TNT Sports he believes the pressure mounting on the Dutchman is correct.

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He explained: "I think he is [rightly coming under pressure], yes. As a player, we all used to think that we were the reason why Manchester United were winning everything, we’d look at each other and think we were the best.

"But then Sir Alex Ferguson would walk through the door, and you’d instantly recognise that he was a massive part of us as a team - and that’s true. The manager has a pivotal role in winning matches, getting silverware, turning around situations at the football club like this one.

"He’s there to dictate everything and he’s under scrutiny right now for that reason. He has to take responsibility as well, recruitment is another huge thing he has control over and the players haven’t been good enough and that’s partly down to him as well.

"Antony, a massive fee paid for him, he’s not been good enough. Not just for the fee, but for a Manchester United player. I don’t just want