‘Sold a dummy’ – Rio Ferdinand FEELS SORRY for struggling Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag as he reveals who he blames for mess

RIO FERDINAND claims Erik ten Hag arrived as boss under “false pretences” and has been “sold a dummy” as Manchester United reel from another humiliating defeat.

Old Trafford legend Ferdy feels “sorry” for the Dutchman and demanded United‘s owners the Glazers fly in from Tampa to “front up” to the mess.

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Former Old Trafford defender Rio Ferdinand defended Erik ten Hag and blasted Man Utd’s absent owners the Glazers[/caption]

The Red Devils’ 4-0 thumping at Brentford on Saturday was completed inside the first 35 minutes, with their only real summer recruit Lisandro Martinez taken off at the interval.

It leaves United bottom of the Premier League after two losses  – four defeats in a row if you include last season’s finale.

And on his podcast Vibe with Five, Ferdinand said: “I don’t feel sorry for the players, I feel sorry for Ten Hag.

“He’s coming under false pretences. He’s coming expected new signings.

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“He’s probably sitting there thinking, ‘I’ve been sold a dummy here. I didn’t know I was coming into this’.”

Former England defender Ferdinand believes ex-Ajax chief Ten Hag knew the squad’s confidence would be low – but didn’t realise the players’ ability would also be so poor.

He added: “This is an indefensible situation right now because it’s so bad, it’s terrible.

“I mean, we’re only two games in, but we’re two games in on the back of what happened last season as well by the way.

“I wouldn’t blame Ten Hag right now. You can pick at his team selection or whatever but this is a bigger problem, a wider problem.”

And Ferdinand backed the call of former club and country team-mate Gary Neville for the Glazers to face the music.

He said: “Where the hell are they?! Get here! Get over here! 

“This ain’t like no normal business, this is a football club with heritage with history, with character, with personality, real people involved. So, treat it like that.  

“They don’t communicate with the fans, they’re not communicating with the people, no one knows where they are, no once can put a face to it! I think that’s disrespectful and I think it’s out of order. 

“I think they need to come here and put themselves right at the front and start shouldering some of this blame. Because they are allowing other people to take the blame.”