Manchester United Icon, Rio Ferdinand Criticizes Manchester United’s Sale and Ten Hag’s Tactics After Brighton Match, revealing key troubles
In an interview with TNT Sports ahead of the Premier League clash on the south coast, Rio Ferdinand expressed his admiration for Danny Welbeck and criticized Manchester United’s decision to sell him. Reflecting on his former teammate’s abilities, Ferdinand said, “Danny Welbeck’s talent has never been in doubt. I remember watching him rise through the ranks at Manchester United, and he was outstanding. I was shocked when the club decided to part ways with him because he brought so much value, not just on the pitch but also as a product of the academy.”
Ferdinand continued, “Those who have played against him likely appreciate his qualities more than some fans, who may not fully grasp how challenging he is to face. He’s also a true professional in every sense.”
Echoing Ferdinand’s sentiments, former England midfielder Joe Cole remarked, “We’ve seen players like Welbeck and Jonny Evans leave United and go on to have solid Premier League careers. I believe they could have been crucial for United, and that’s partly why the club has faced difficulties in recent years.”
“Danny Welbeck is truly an exceptional player,” Cole added.
In the match, Amad Diallo scored an equalizer for Manchester United following Welbeck’s first-half goal. However, a controversial offside decision went against United, and Brighton’s Joao Pedro secured a stoppage-time winner, much to the frustration of United’s manager Erik ten Hag.
Pedro, reflecting on his late goal, told TNT Sports, “I’m thrilled with the win. This goal shows how badly we wanted to win our first home game against a top team. The team performed brilliantly, and now we need to recover because another big match is coming up next weekend.”
Ferdinand also commented on the defensive lapse that led to Brighton’s winning goal, saying, “You can’t afford to leave that much space at the back post at this level… The disallowed goal was a turning point, but the lack of focus in defense was equally costly. That’s something that just can’t happen.”
