SHOCKING! Erik Ten Hag’s Job on the Line? Rio Ferdinand SLAMS Man United Boss After Benching £60m Star! (Words in the street)
Rio Ferdinand has voiced concerns over Erik ten Hag’s recent decisions, questioning if the Dutch manager is the right fit for Manchester United. Ferdinand’s criticism came after Ten Hag benched a £60 million player during United’s dominant 3-0 win over Southampton. While fans celebrated the victory, Ferdinand raised eyebrows, particularly about the exclusion of Manuel Ugarte, a key signing expected to play a prominent role.
The match, held at Old Trafford, saw goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho, with goalkeeper Andre Onana making a critical penalty save. Despite the comprehensive win, Ferdinand’s focus remained on Ten Hag’s tactical choices, particularly his lineup decisions.
Before the game, there was surprise when Christian Eriksen was named in the starting XI over Ugarte, especially after Casemiro’s underwhelming performance against Liverpool. Many expected Ugarte, a £43 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain, to step in, but he remained on the bench until the 73rd minute. Ugarte’s introduction brought stability to United’s midfield, helping them score their third goal.
Ten Hag later explained that Ugarte had limited preparation time due to the international break, participating in only two training sessions. “He only trained for 20 minutes with the team yesterday,” Ten Hag said, explaining his decision.
Although Ten Hag’s reasoning seemed logical, Ferdinand remained unconvinced, suggesting that such decisions could hinder United’s progress in the long run. Ferdinand’s concerns extended beyond Ugarte’s absence, as he questioned whether Ten Hag’s overall decision-making was in the club’s best interest.
Ten Hag also addressed the criticism surrounding Marcus Rashford’s recent form. Rashford ended his goal drought with a strike against Southampton, scoring his 132nd goal for United. Ten Hag downplayed the negativity surrounding Rashford, emphasizing his consistent contributions. “He’s been working hard, and this goal was well-deserved,” Ten Hag remarked.
While United’s victory provided relief, Ferdinand’s doubts about Ten Hag’s leadership persist. He fears that with INEOS potentially taking over, the new owners may overlook these issues, possibly allowing Ten Hag to stay too long and risk further setbacks for the team.
As Manchester United’s season unfolds, scrutiny on Ten Hag’s decisions will only intensify. Though results have been delivered, Ferdinand’s criticism raises a critical question: is Erik ten Hag the right person to lead Manchester United back to glory, or could his choices jeopardize the club’s future?
