Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has voiced concerns over the club's decision to let go of sporting director Dan Ashworth after a mere five months. He implored the co-owners Ineos to apply the same "brutal" approach to the subpar players at the club.

He spoke candidly on his 'Rio Presents' podcast, stating: "Confusion is the first thing that springs to mind. I just hope they’re this brutal – as they have been with the staff that have been there for years and they’re culling – with the s*** players that are there.

"If there’s any s*** players that are there, and the ones that have either been there too long and the ones that just ain’t good enough, be as brutal as they’ve been. Get them out quick. And I hope they’re like that."

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This comes amid a turbulent time for Manchester United, who are adjusting to changes made by new manager Ruben Amorim and find themselves in 13th place following losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

Part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently announced the club's operating loss of £6.9m for the first quarter of the financial year and warned of making "unpopular" decisions, which has sparked further controversy by increasing ticket prices to £66 per game, with no discounts for children or pensioners.

Ferdinand added: "For better or worse, at least they’ve made a decision. You look at the things that are going on – I think there’s a lot of noise around the club. Ticket prices are going up, there’s been the laying-off of 250-plus staff. They’re very definitive and it’s very much like, "right, we’re doing this’."