Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand believes it is still too early to judge whether Erik ten Hag is the right man to lead Manchester United back to the top, despite their unquestionable improvement under him this season.
United head into tomorrow's Manchester derby against City at Old Trafford with the knowledge that a win will lift them to within a point and place of their neighbours in the Premier League table. The Reds have lost just one of their last 18 matches since being battered 6-3 by City back in October, featuring a current run of eight wins on the bounce.
The Reds, such is the level of progress they have made under Ten Hag this season, are now considered as one of the favourites to qualify for the Champions League for next season. They have made significant strides in a relatively short space of time and victories over the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur already this season have proven that they are capable of competing in the upper echelons of the table again.
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However, despite heading into the second half of the campaign with form in their sails, Ferdinand insists the jury is still out on Ten Hag, despite him reaching 20 wins as United manager quick than any of his predecessors.
"I think it's too early to say," said Ferdinand to the Mirror. "We've been here with previous managers when it looks like we are onto something.
“We've got to be patient and give the man time. I think all the signs are very positive at the moment. He's come in and seen what is happening, assessed how things are, looked at individuals and looked at the shape of the team.
"These were a bunch of players that were quite low. They were shot to pieces and he's had to build, not only footballers, but men back up again. He's had to build a lot of human beings back up and that takes time.
"The fact he's now talking about qualifying for the Champions League so positively, he can sense a confidence coming back into this team. There's a consistency of performance from the team that wasn’t there before and the signals and signs are all very promising.
"But they're still not where they want to be. City are way ahead of where United are. The distance is a bit closer, but it's still not anywhere near where we want it to be. There's still work to be done."
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