BREAKING NEWS: Rio Ferdinand Critiques Ten Hag’s Substitution Decisions After 1-1 Draw with FC Twente After Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against FC Twente in their Europa League opener, Rio Ferdinand voiced his frustration over Erik ten Hag’s tactical choices.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand expressed his frustration following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against FC Twente in their opening Europa League group-stage match. In his post-match analysis, Ferdinand voiced concerns about the performances of Bruno Fernandes and the decision-making of manager Erik ten Hag.

Ferdinand was particularly critical of Fernandes, questioning why the midfielder was not substituted during the game despite struggling.

He pointed out that Christian Eriksen appeared shocked when his number was called to be replaced, suggesting that Ten Hag could have considered other options, such as bringing on Mason Mount, who was brought into the squad to offer flexibility.

Ferdinand’s dissatisfaction with Fernandes stemmed from what he viewed as careless passing. He emphasized that Fernandes was treating the ball “like a bomb,” hurriedly launching it without taking the time to assess the situation.

Ferdinand argued that such a style does not align with Manchester United’s possession-based game and suggested that Fernandes could benefit from being benched for a couple of games to regain his focus. However, he was clear in stating that he did not believe Fernandes should be sold or permanently dropped from the team.

In addition to criticizing Fernandes, Ferdinand also questioned Ten Hag’s substitutions. He argued that the decision to replace Christian Eriksen rather than Fernandes, especially when the team was struggling for creativity, was a missed opportunity to influence the game. He also expressed confusion over the decision to substitute Joshua Zirkzee, suggesting that a more tactical change could have been made to shift the game’s momentum.

Ferdinand’s analysis reflected the growing frustrations among Manchester United fans, many of whom were disappointed by the team’s performance. His comments highlighted the need for better decision-making on the pitch and more strategic choices from Ten Hag moving forward.

Fans at Old Trafford were left hoping for improvements as the team continues their Europa League campaign, with Ferdinand’s critique echoing their desire for stronger performances and more effective management decisions.