Rio Ferdinand stated his opinion that a specific Manchester United player “isn’t suited” to the club after their loss to Manchester City.
Manchester United faced a 3-1 defeat against Manchester City in the 192nd Manchester derby, where Marcus Rashford surprised everyone by scoring an early goal for United.
Despite their lead, Phil Foden’s two goals and a late strike from Erling Haaland secured victory for City, marking United’s second consecutive league defeat under Erik ten Hag’s management.
Throughout the match, United struggled and found themselves mostly defending in their own penalty area, leading many fans to anticipate a larger victory margin for City.
Ten Hag encountered challenges with key players sidelined due to injuries, including Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.
In response, veteran defender Jonny Evans was called upon to start, making his 17th Premier League appearance of the season after rejoining the club last summer.
Evans, who departed Old Trafford in 2015, returned to provide defensive depth and experience.
His significant playing time this season, exceeding expectations, has caught the attention of former United teammate Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand acknowledged Evans’s impressive performances but expressed surprise at his prolonged stay at the club.
He praised Evans’s proficiency with the ball and his potential role in mentoring younger players, suggesting that coaching could be in his future.
Despite Evans’s commendable contributions, Ferdinand questioned his continued presence at United, suggesting it reflects the club’s current situation.
He emphasized that Evans should not be relied upon to face formidable opponents like Haaland, highlighting the gap between United’s current standing and the expectations of top-tier clubs.
The defeat in the Manchester derby underscores United’s challenges, with injuries forcing them to depend on experienced players like Evans, who may not fit the profile of players typically associated with top clubs.
While Evans’s performance deserves recognition, Ferdinand believes United’s reliance on him reflects the club’s current status and underscores the need for strategic improvements to compete at the highest level.
