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Rio Ferdinand blasts 'leaderless' Manchester United amid Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford concerns

Rio Ferdinand blasts 'leaderless' Manchester United amid Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford concerns

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has criticised Erik ten Hag’s side as being leaderless and too emotional.

The Red Devils currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League table, nine points behind Champions League qualification rivals Tottenham, albeit with a game in hand.

Appearing on The Overlap’s Stick to Football show, Ferdinand claimed that United’s current players lack leadership qualities.

“Where are those people that the newcomers are looking to, to get those little nuggets? They’re not there.

“You need leaders to be talking and pulling people about in games. They are quite emotional players; they just go gung-ho at times – there's no rigidness to this team."

Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles and the Champions League in his own illustrious 12-year stint at Old Trafford, praised 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo as “magnificent”.

“But I don’t see anyone trying to protect him,” he continued. “He's a kid – imagine if a young kid came into one of our teams, you try and protect that kid.

Decision: Rio Ferdinand believes that Marcus Rashford has arrived at a ‘pivotal moment’ in his Manchester United career (AFP via Getty Images)
Decision: Rio Ferdinand believes that Marcus Rashford has arrived at a ‘pivotal moment’ in his Manchester United career (AFP via Getty Images)

"How many games do you see him being left exposed? Imagine that feeling, being exposed in that midfield. It's a lonely place in there if there's big spaces.

“There's got to be older players and coaches in that team that make sure they tighten it up for that player.”

Jamie Carragher left a similarly scathing review, accusing Ten Hag’s team of being disjointed.

“I look at Manchester United, and it's like it's two separate teams in one," he said.

"You have the front five, almost trying to press, and leaving this massive space. Any competent coach would look at that and go, 'we're either all up here or all up there' – surely it isn't that difficult."

Ferdinand spoke on the Stick to Football podcast ahead of United visiting Chelsea and then hosting Liverpool again this Sunday.

Ten Hag will hope for a repeat of last month’s dramatic 4-3 victory over their fiercest rivals which booked the Red Devils a Wembley semi-final date with Coventry in the FA Cup, and ended Liverpool’s quadruple hopes in the process.

The contest will be Jurgen Klopp’s last visit to Old Trafford as Liverpool boss. The visitors, who rose to the summit of the table last weekend, will need three points to stave off title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City.

Marcus Rashford scored in United’s last Premier League victory over Liverpool but has performed inconsistently so far this campaign. His off-the-pitch antics have also been questioned. Ferdinand discussed the 26-year-old’s future.

“I think it’s a pivotal moment in his career now, he’s not a kid anymore,” he said.

I think there’s a big decision to make, from him

Rio Ferdinand on Marcus Rashford

“I think there’s a big decision to make, from him. He’s got to look at who’s around him, who are the external people? Are they the right people?

“Are they enabling him to make excuses for himself behind closed doors? Or are they saying, ‘look at yourself and be accountable for what you are doing’?

“He might need to go, ‘you know what, I’ll get rid of them and stay in Manchester, or I’ve got to leave Manchester and get rid of those people’.”

In a lively discussion, Ferdinand’s fellow United legend Roy Keane added: “There’s no question mark about his [Rashford’s] ability, he’s outstanding – but there’s something amiss with him.

“Who is giving him an old-fashioned kick up the a**e and saying, ‘come on, we need more from you’. If you want to be this leader, and you’re on the big contracts, then there is that responsibility.”