Rio Ferdinand launched a scathing attack on Manchester United after their 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, saying they looked like a team that had 'won a raffle' to be in Europe's premier competition. The former United defender also called the side 'toothless' in attack and said they lacked 'running power' and an ability to press.
United's disastrous night in Italy
United conceded within the first two minutes and were dominated by their Italian hosts, who led 3-0 before the hour mark. Nico Paz scored twice as United's winless run stretched to seven games in all competitions. Captain Bruno Fernandes was substituted in the 66th minute, while Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench to score a late consolation goal just before stoppage time.
The result was United's second consecutive defeat in the competition, piling more pressure on manager Michael Carrick. Sunday's Premier League match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford is now seen as a potentially pivotal fixture for the head coach, whose side have won just one of their first seven league games.
Ferdinand's furious reaction
Writing on X, Ferdinand said: "Cesc Fabregas Como have made us look like a team who had won a RAFFLE to be in the Champions league. At times it looked as though Como had 12 players on the pitch. We were TOOTHLESS in attack. NO running power in the team. An INABILITY to press Como. NO patterns in possession."
He added: "A lot of credit has to go to Cesc and the way he has built this team & then you see the way he has got his ideas into this team. Everyone knows their jobs and are dialled in in and out of possession. They play to teammates under pressure - a great example of trust in one another. But that is no excuse for us, we were poor on the night and look a team on zero confidence right now - so much to do to turn this around...."
Carrick takes responsibility
Carrick apologised to the travelling supporters after the match and said he took full responsibility for the performance. "I 100 per cent take responsibility for the overall team and the performance. That's where it stops. It stops with me," he said. "I always go over to the fans regardless. I was one of them. To spend your money and come and hope for something - I feel for the fans for sure."
Asked if the players were still playing for him, Carrick replied: "It's not about playing for me, it's about playing for this football club. It's the responsibility that comes with being in the position; I'm responsible for the football club and the supporters. I'm giving my best, absolute best all the time, I care about it. My whole life's wrapped around it. I genuinely give everything that I possibly can."
Fernandes questions tactics
Bruno Fernandes publicly challenged the team's tactics in a post-match interview with HBO Max, saying: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence."
He added: "It's not the first time, we started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early. Not much pressure on the ball, not many good movements with the ball, not many things going our way. Conceding early makes us go into game with a mood of defeat, it's difficult to get out of that, trying to be brave, to have the ball and make something happen. If we are not able to do that, it is going to be very difficult to get out of this situation."
When asked about Carrick's role in the defeat, Fernandes said: "That's on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half."
Sunday's match against Bournemouth could prove decisive for Carrick's future, with United having managed just one win from their opening seven league fixtures.
