August 24th 2024.
Rio Ferdinand was disappointed with Manchester United's late defeat against Brighton and believes that coach Erik ten Hag was to blame for the loss. Despite a second-half equalizer from Amad Diallo, former United striker Danny Welbeck's goal gave the hosts the lead. United thought they had secured a win when Alejandro Garnacho scored from Bruno Fernandes' cross, but the goal was disallowed due to a slight touch from Joshua Zirkzee. However, Brighton's Joao Pedro scored a dramatic winner in the final minutes, extending Ten Hag's poor record against the Seagulls in the Premier League.
Ferdinand, along with fellow pundit Joe Cole, pointed out that the decision to substitute captain Harry Maguire in the second half may have cost United a crucial point. "I thought Harry Maguire was the best defender for Man United today," Ferdinand commented on TNT Sports. "I was surprised when he was taken off, as he could have been the vocal leader during that crucial set-piece." Cole added that Maguire's presence on the pitch could have prevented Brighton's winning goal.
Ten Hag, on the other hand, chose to put the blame on three United players - Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, and Noussair Mazraoui - for not stopping Simon Adingra's cross, which led to Joao Pedro's header. "We didn't stop the cross," the United boss said. "There were three players who could have prevented it, but they let Adingra come inside and deliver the cross." He further stated that the team needs to have a discussion about this issue.
Ferdinand and Cole also discussed the trend of substituting center-backs during the game, which was not common during their playing days. They suggested that Ten Hag may have been trying to keep all his players happy, as he also brought on Matthijs de Ligt in place of Maguire. However, they both agreed that Maguire's solid performance throughout the game should have earned him a spot until the final whistle. "If you want to bring on De Ligt, make it a back five and keep Maguire on the pitch," Cole advised.
In the end, Ten Hag's decision and the lack of defensive organization in the crucial moments cost United the game. Despite this defeat, United fans can stay updated with all the latest news, exclusives, and analysis by signing up for our newsletter. This website is also protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, ensuring the safety and privacy of our readers.
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