Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has voiced his astonishment and disapproval over Erik ten Hag’s choice to leave Alejandro Garnacho on the bench during their 2-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday.
Under Ten Hag, Manchester United had a successful first season in 2022/23, reaching the FA Cup final, winning the League Cup, and finishing in the Premier League’s top four. However, the following season saw a significant decline, ending in eighth place, their lowest since the Premier League began in 1992. Despite this poor league showing, they still won the FA Cup.
Throughout the last season, there was much speculation about Ten Hag’s future with the club. Nevertheless, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS decided to retain him as head coach, believing in his ability to lead the club’s revival at Old Trafford.
Garnacho, who had been a key player for Manchester United previously, was notably left out of the starting lineup against Brighton, which surprised Ferdinand. On TNT Sports, Ferdinand commented, “I look at him and think, ‘How is he not starting?’ He has been one of our standout players—our most dynamic and explosive asset. From an opposition perspective, you would prefer not to face him on the field.”
Ferdinand also discussed Danny Welbeck’s performance and his unexpected departure from Manchester United in 2014. Welbeck, who scored against United in their match against Brighton, was a player Ferdinand had high regard for. He noted, “Nothing surprises me with Danny Welbeck. I remember watching him as a young talent at Manchester United, and he was exceptional. It was baffling to me that the club let him go because he held significant value—not just as a player but also as a former academy graduate who contributed to the team’s spirit.”
Ferdinand highlighted other former United players like Jonny Evans, pointing out that their exits and subsequent success in the Premier League were surprising. He felt that players like Welbeck would have been extremely valuable to United in their current situation.
After the match, Ten Hag discussed the team’s performance, saying, “There were positive aspects in our build-up play, possession, and defensive approach. However, there were moments, particularly in the second half, where we needed to maintain better control. While there were encouraging elements to the game, we need to improve our efficiency in both boxes and show more aggression.”
