Rio Ferdinand reveals where Man Utd should hope to finish in Premier League next season following record-low placement of 15th

Ferdinand was speaking to Mirror Sport when he was asked where the Red Devils should finish in next season's Premier League. The United legend suggested that despite this season's failures, Ruben Amorim should be aiming for no less that eighth place, with hopes of snatching a berth in the top six.

United were dismal in the 2024/25 season, finishing 15th in the Premier League, their lowest finish in the history of the competition. Even so, to hear an Old Trafford hero talk about mid-table finishes as a realistic goal will rankle with the red half of Manchester. It was not long ago that Sir Jim Ratcliffe was planning for a league title win by 2028, a goal that looks increasingly farcical.

Ferdinand told Mirror Sport: "I think if you finish 15th this year, United have got to be looking to finish in at least the top eight, top six.

"I don't think you should be looking outside of that. And that's from someone who only thought about winning the league at United. So it's a big come-down in that sense."

United are discovering their once all-powerful brand does not carry quite the same weight as it used to. It would appear their two main targets this summer, Bryan Mbeumo and Viktor Gyokeres, may not end up at Old Trafford. Without serious reinforcements to the squad, maybe even Ferdinand's realistic goal of finishing in the top 8 might appear outlandish come the start of the season.