As the dust settles on another high-stakes Premier League weekend, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand hasn’t held back in his latest post-match analysis. In a season defined by narrow margins and a cut-throat race for the top four, Ferdinand took to his platform to deliver a “truth bomb” that has sent ripples through the United fanbase.
The Red Devils’ narrow 1–0 victory over Everton on Monday night (February 23, 2026) was secured by a clinical strike from summer signing Benjamin Sesko. However, according to Rio, the headlines shouldn’t be about the Slovenian striker.
“Sesko Was Not Our Savior”
Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand was blunt about where the credit for the three points truly lies. Despite Sesko netting his sixth goal in seven games, Rio insisted that the “savior” tag belongs elsewhere.
> “If I see truth, I will say it no matter the consequences,” Ferdinand declared. “Listen, Benjamin Sesko is finding his feet, and he took his goal well, but he was not our savior tonight. If you’re looking at why we’re walking away with three points and not just a single point, you have to look further back on the pitch.”
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Ferdinand highlighted that while Sesko provided the finish, the team was under “monstrous” pressure in the final 20 minutes, with Everton launching a barrage of attacks that threatened to derail United’s Champions League hopes.
The Man Who Saved the Three Points: Senne Lammens
The player Rio singled out for ultimate praise is the young Belgian shot-stopper, Senne Lammens. Since taking the #1 spot, Lammens has been a revelation, but his performance at Goodison Park was, in Rio’s words, “on another level.”
Lammens produced a string of world-class saves, most notably tipping a thunderous Michael Keane effort over the bar and commanding his area during a succession of nine late corners.
“This particular player really gave his all for us to win tonight,” Rio added. “If not for Senne Lammens, we could have been dragging points with Chelsea right now. He took the chaos out of the game. He was calm, he was composed, and he didn’t look like a young keeper; he looked like a veteran who’s been there for ten years.”
The “Chelsea Factor”
Rio’s reference to Chelsea is a pointed one. United’s victory has moved them into 4th place, opening up a vital three-point gap over both Chelsea and Liverpool. Had Lammens not held firm, a draw would have left United level on points with the London club, likely trailing on goal difference.
Player Impact Summary: United vs. Everton (Feb 2026)
| Player | Role | Key Contribution |
|—|—|—|
| Benjamin Sesko | Striker | Scored the 71st-minute winner. |
| Bryan Mbeumo | Winger | Provided the assist; tireless running. |
| Senne Lammens | Goalkeeper | Man of the Match; 6 crucial saves; clean sheet. |
| Matthijs de Ligt | Defender | Led the line under heavy aerial pressure. |
Ferdinand concluded his assessment by challenging the rest of the squad to match Lammens’ consistency. “We’re in the business end of the season. You need match-winners at both ends. Ben [Sesko] did his job, but Lammens won us that game. Period.”
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