Rio Ferdinand gives damning verdict on Man United’s defensive calamity against Galatasaray

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United suffered an embarrassing 3-2 defeat against Galatasaray at Old Trafford and it now seems the walls are starting to close in on Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils led twice on the night but due to some dire defending and some questionable goalkeeping from Andre Onana, Manchester United lost the game.

The Red Devils are bottom of the group and are four points behind the Turkish side and it does already seem like United have a mountain to climb in Group A.

Erik ten Hag’s side are certainly in trouble in both the Premier League and indeed the Champions League but there is one glaring issue staring the former Ajax boss in the face.

Defensive issues

United’s defensive issues have been well-documented. With 18 goals conceded already this season, it does seem that the club are heading into yet another abyss, which hasn’t been since in…two years.

The defensive catastrophe of the second goal, so soon after United had regained the lead, was diabolical and for the team to lose their heads so quickly was embarrassing.

Rio Ferdinand, speaking on TNT Sport was furious with the defending from United, particularly the manner in which the Red Devils threw away the game.

“You need organisers at the back, on two of the goals especially there was no leadership and control of the situation,” the former United defender said at full-time.

“You’ve got to anticipate these things as a defender and just think ‘what if’ but United don’t do that.

“I think this comes down to concentration or a lack of it, we’re not talking about young players here these are experienced players making these errors, it’s shambolic.”

How can things improve

The one defender who probably deserves a start based on his previous appearance is Harry Maguire. The English defender looked solid and made the players around him improve in the Carabao Cup win.

Victor Lindelof, alongside Raphael Varane, certainly does not exude confidence and needs a period of time away from the United first team.

This would leave a space for Maguire to come in, with Sergio Reguilon hopefully returning soon, the defence may well finally be a bit more secure than it previously was, particularly tonight.