**Rio Ferdinand Questions Erik ten Hag’s Decision-Making: Is He the Right Man for Manchester United?**
Rio Ferdinand has openly criticized Erik ten Hag’s recent decision-making, casting doubt on whether the Dutch manager is truly fit to lead a club as prominent as Manchester United. Ferdinand’s frustration surfaced following Ten Hag’s choice to bench a £60 million player during United’s convincing 3-0 victory over Southampton, despite the commanding result. The criticism wasn’t aimed at the usual suspects like Alejandro Garnacho or Harry Maguire but was instead directed at the surprising omission of Manuel Ugarte, a high-profile signing expected to feature prominently.
Manchester United’s dominant display saw goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho, ensuring a comprehensive win at Old Trafford. Adding to the team’s triumph, goalkeeper Andre Onana made a vital contribution, saving a penalty from Cameron Archer just before De Ligt headed in the opening goal. While United fans celebrated the performance, questions lingered about Ten Hag’s tactical choices.
Before kickoff, there was widespread confusion when Christian Eriksen was named in the starting lineup ahead of Ugarte, particularly after Casemiro’s poor showing in the previous match against Liverpool. Many anticipated Ugarte, who had recently been acquired for £43 million from Paris Saint-Germain, to slot into the midfield. However, Ten Hag’s decision to bench Ugarte raised eyebrows, especially given the international break had already caused disruptions in the team’s preparation.
Despite being sidelined for most of the match, Ugarte eventually made his appearance in the 73rd minute, replacing Eriksen. His introduction brought an extra layer of control to United’s midfield, and his presence was crucial in helping the team score their third goal. After the match, Ten Hag explained that Ugarte’s absence from the starting lineup was due to his limited preparation time. The midfielder had only participated in two training sessions with the squad, one of which occurred just before the international break. Ten Hag clarified: “He only trained for 20 minutes with the team yesterday. It was a short time, but we’re glad we could bring him on today to show what he can bring to the team.”
Ten Hag’s justification for benching Ugarte seemed to make sense, yet Ferdinand wasn’t fully convinced. The former United defender questioned whether Ten Hag’s decisions were truly benefiting the team in the long run. Ferdinand’s concern wasn’t just about Ugarte’s absence but extended to whether Ten Hag’s overall decision-making could hamper the club’s progress. The fear is that such misjudgments, especially regarding key players, could prove costly for United as the season progresses.
In addition to explaining his reasoning about Ugarte, Ten Hag addressed the ongoing criticism surrounding Marcus Rashford, who had been under scrutiny for his recent lack of goals. Rashford silenced his critics with a well-taken strike against Southampton, marking his 132nd goal for Manchester United. Ten Hag, however, was quick to dismiss the negative chatter, emphasizing Rashford’s continued contribution to the team despite his goal drought. “There was too much negativity towards him,” Ten Hag remarked. “But we don’t pay attention to that. Rashford has been creating chances, even in games like the one against Liverpool. He deserved his goal, but it takes hard work to get there, and he’s been putting in that effort.”
Rashford’s goal was a significant milestone, and Ten Hag was eager to praise the striker’s efforts, noting how important it is for forwards to build momentum early in the season. “Scoring goals early in the season is vital for any striker,” Ten Hag said. “It builds confidence, and that belief will lead to even more goals.” Rashford’s return to form is likely to ease some of the pressure on the team, but Ferdinand’s concerns about Ten Hag’s leadership remain.
While Manchester United’s victory over Southampton provided some much-needed breathing room, Ferdinand remains skeptical of Ten Hag’s capacity to steer the club forward. His main worry lies in the potential new ownership under INEOS, fearing that they might not recognize the underlying issues with Ten Hag’s management early enough. According to Ferdinand, allowing Ten Hag to remain at the helm for too long could lead to further complications and setbacks for the team.
As Manchester United navigates through a challenging season, the spotlight will continue to shine on Ten Hag’s every decision. While the Dutchman has delivered results on the pitch, questions about his long-term suitability remain unanswered. Ferdinand’s criticism highlights a growing divide in opinions among fans and pundits alike: is Erik ten Hag truly the right man to lead Manchester United back to glory, or are his decisions putting the club’s future at risk?