Rio Ferdinand gives verdict on Erik ten Hag start at Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United are on the “right track” under Erik ten Hag – but believes it’s too soon for any talk of a top four finish next season.

United get their 2022/23 season under way under their new manager this weekend, with Ten Hag having arrived from Ajax earlier in the summer. The 52-year-old has been tasked with turning around the ailing fortunes at Old Trafford following a disastrous campaign last time out.

The former Ajax boss has added to his squad in the transfer window, with Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen joining the club, while the likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani have left. United’s squad, as it stands though, looks set to take on a familiar look to the one that failed to deliver on last year’s hopes of a title challenge.

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Nevertheless, fans have been impressed by the style implemented by Ten Hag since his arrival, having seen his side in action during pre-season. Ferdinand is among those who likes what he’s seen so far, although he hasn’t seen enough yet to suggest United could mount a challenge for the top four.

“I think it’s too early,” Ferdinand told FootballJOE. “I’m happy with the style of football that he’s implementing, and I’m happy with a lot of the words and conversations that you’re seeing come out of the training ground.

“The discipline element within the squad, the identity of the team taking shape, they’re the kind of things I’ve been looking at and calling for. It is pre-season, it is too early to start jumping out about it and going ‘we’re back, we’re going to be the new, reformed Man United’.

“But