Rio Ferdinand says Manchester United must be realistic about their chances of success in this season’s Champions League .
It is approaching 10 years since defender Ferdinand was part of the side that won the Champions League in Moscow in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea in the first all-English final.
United have returned to the Russian capital, to face CSKA Moscow in a Wednesday group game, looking to build on the 3-0 home win over Basel a fortnight ago which marked their return to the Champions League.
Twice in the last three seasons, the Old Trafford giants have failed to even qualify for the Champions League — a far cry from the time when they reached its final three times in four years between 2008 and 2011.
Entry to this season’s tournament came only by winning the Europa League last term after Jose Mourinho’s side ended up sixth in the Premier League — the club’s second-worst finish in 25 years.
And Ferdinand, 38, who made 455 appearances for the Red Devils in a glittering 12-year spell, reckons his successors must have practical expectations and accept they are no longer in the bracket of Europe’s elite clubs who can win it.
“I think it’s wise for United to be humble when it comes to the Champions League,” said Ferdinand. “You can’t look at United or judge them compared to how they were 10 years ago, when we last won the Champions League.
“They’re different squads and it’s a different animal altogether. They’re on a rebuilding track at the moment and in the midst of that. They’ve got to achieve things — they’ve got to win the Premier League again for a start [something United last did in 2013].
“They’ve got to try to do that first and consolidate there, before you start looking at the Champions League and talking yourself up as one of the contenders.
“Realistically, I don’t see United going as far as the semi-finals this season.”
Although United came through a gruelling Europa League campaign, which saw them travel to Holland, Ukraine, Turkey, France, Russia, Belgium and Spain before lifting the trophy in Sweden, Ferdinand warned the Champions League will be an even bigger test.
“It’s the away games that are the hardest in the Champions League, along with the travel,” he said. “Coming back to the Premier League after that week spent travelling is what you’ve got to contend with. This is new territory for this United team and they’ve got to be able to deal with that.
“Getting a result in Moscow is going to be difficult, but I think that’s very possible with the squad they’ve got. But more importantly is coming back to the Premier League after that big trip.
“How do they deal with that? How do they get through that?”
Mourinho, in his second season as boss, has followed a similar pattern throughout his managerial career — never completing four full seasons, with three years his usual tenure.
But Ferdinand believes the Special One has found in United a club where he can break that cycle of short-term stints and remain for a number of years to build a legacy.
“I think he’s found somewhere where he feels very comfortable, very at ease and, if it goes well, there’s no better place to be,” said the former England star.
“He’s managed at some of the biggest clubs in the world, the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan. But I think it’s a different pressure you get at places like that. Here, he’s allowed to live his life much more comfortably. He loves England, he loves the football, the culture and I can see him staying at United - if successful - for many years.
“Also, where does he go from here? It’s been a long time coming on his part, to get to United, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to give it up easily.”
With Mourinho at the helm, Ferdinand reckons United have their best chance of returning to the glory days they enjoyed during Sir Alex Ferguson’s trophy-laden quarter-of a century in charge.
“I think United are in their best place now since that last title win,” said Ferdinand.
“They’ve set themselves up nicely after last season, winning a couple of trophies. Confidence is back in the squad and Mourinho has made some really good signings.
“They made all their decisions early in terms of signing the likes of Lukaku, and the team were ready to hit the ground running. Now they have to build on that.”
* Rio Ferdinand is taking part in the 2017 EE Wembley Cup final at Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, on Saturday October 7.
To view the latest episode of the Wembley Cup online series and purchase tickets for the live final, seewww.ee.co.uk/wembleycup