Rio Ferdinand has recently emphasized that one Manchester United player seems to be hitting a “nice vein of form” and is “building a bit of confidence” after the team’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League. His comments have centered around Marcus Rashford, whose performance was a highlight in a game full of ups and downs for United. Ferdinand’s reflections on the game and his assessment of Rashford offer both praise and some criticism, particularly when it comes to tactical decisions made by manager Erik ten Hag.
On Thursday evening, Manchester United faced off against Porto at the iconic Estadio do Dragao in Portugal, marking their second group stage match in this season’s Europa League campaign. The match started on a positive note for United, with Erik ten Hag’s men looking lively and in control during the early stages. Within just seven minutes, Marcus Rashford found the back of the net, giving United an early lead and boosting the team’s morale. Rashford’s goal came as a result of his signature play, taking on defenders with pace and precision—a sight that United fans have been yearning to see more consistently this season.
As the match progressed, Rashford continued to be a key figure, playing a pivotal role in United’s second goal. In the 20th minute, Rashford provided a sharp assist for Rasmus Hojlund, who finished with aplomb to double United’s lead. At that point, it seemed like Ten Hag’s side were cruising towards a comfortable win. However, football is a game of momentum, and soon, the tide turned dramatically against United.
Just minutes after Hojlund’s goal, Porto capitalized on some defensive lapses from United. Veteran defender Pepe managed to score in the 27th minute, sparking a Porto comeback. The situation worsened for United when Samu Omorodion scored an equalizer just before the half-hour mark, leaving the Red Devils reeling. With the game now level, United’s early dominance began to fade, and Porto grew in confidence.
The second half started disastrously for United. Five minutes into the half, Omorodion struck again, giving Porto a 3-2 lead and completing a remarkable turnaround. To make matters worse, Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card, reducing United to ten men and making their task even more difficult. With United on the ropes, it seemed like the game would slip away entirely. However, in the dying moments of the match, Harry Maguire, who had been brought on as a substitute, scored a crucial equalizer with a towering header, rescuing a point for United in what was an otherwise disappointing performance.
In the aftermath of the game, Rio Ferdinand shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, highlighting the positives and negatives from the match. One of the main takeaways for Ferdinand was Rashford’s impressive performance, particularly in the first half. Ferdinand lauded Rashford’s goal, describing it as a perfect example of the direct, confident play that fans have come to expect from the forward. “Rashford was direct, aggressive, and showed that hunger we need from him,” Ferdinand commented, adding that Rashford’s celebration after scoring indicated a player who was rediscovering his form and confidence after a difficult start to the season.
However, Ferdinand was left puzzled by Ten Hag’s decision to substitute Rashford at halftime. He remarked, “I can’t lie, it doesn’t make sense to take him off at that point. He gets a goal, assists another, and then you pull him out. He’s building confidence, and sure, he could have done better for Porto’s second goal, but taking him off when he’s in rhythm doesn’t help his development.” According to Ferdinand, this decision could have a negative impact on Rashford’s momentum, especially since the forward was beginning to show signs of returning to his best.
Ferdinand went on to compare the situation with former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, a player renowned for his ability to stay on the pitch and make an impact when it mattered most. “If you look at someone like Ruud van Nistelrooy, he’d be left on the pitch in games like these because he had that knack for turning things around,” Ferdinand explained. “Forwards like him don’t get taken off when the game is in the balance, and I think that’s something Ten Hag needs to think about when it comes to Rashford. You have to let your top players find their rhythm and trust them to make a difference.”
In Ferdinand’s view, the decision to withdraw Rashford at halftime not only robbed the player of a chance to continue his fine form but also may have disrupted United’s attacking flow. While Alejandro Garnacho, who replaced Rashford, is an exciting young talent, Ferdinand remained critical of the timing of the substitution, suggesting it did more harm than good. “It’s a tricky situation because you want to give younger players a chance, but at the same time, you don’t want to break a player’s momentum, especially someone like Rashford who thrives on confidence,” Ferdinand added.
In conclusion, Ferdinand’s analysis reflects a mix of optimism and concern. On the one hand, Rashford’s form appears to be on the rise, with the player showing signs of regaining the confidence and sharpness that made him one of United’s most dangerous attackers. On the other hand, Ferdinand is clearly frustrated with certain tactical decisions that he believes could undermine Rashford’s progress. As United navigate a challenging season, balancing player development and match management will be key for Ten Hag, especially when dealing with pivotal players like Rashford who have the ability to turn games i
n United’s favor.