Rio Ferdinand has criticised Manchester United's performance in the derby defeat to Manchester City, arguing that the team failed to create enough chances despite playing against 10 men for over an hour. The former United defender also labelled the VAR decision that allowed Erling Haaland's winning goal as 'deluded'.
Phil Foden was sent off after just 23 minutes at Old Trafford for retaliating after being kicked by Bruno Fernandes. Despite the numerical advantage, it was Manchester City's Erling Haaland who scored the only goal of the game after an hour. The Norwegian's goal was extremely controversial as it seemed clear that Enzo Fernandez was offside in the build-up, and after the linesman initially flagged, VAR intervened to give the goal.
VAR apology and Ferdinand's reaction
After the match, referee chiefs Pro Ref admitted that was a mistake and have apologised to Manchester United for the error. Fernandez was challenging with Lisandro Martinez to get on the end of Josko Gvardiol's cross, right in front of goalkeeper Senne Lammens and quite clearly attempted to play the ball.
Ferdinand was far from impressed with the officiating, but also felt United were blunt and short of ideas despite having the extra man for so long. The Manchester United legend posted on X: '[Lisandro] Martinez has to go defend the man nearest the goal whether he believes he's offside or not. In split seconds, you make the decision. He goes to defend Fernandez – who then attempts to play the ball. Deluded from VAR! Regardless – Utd never created enough chances once City went to 10 men.'
Ferdinand had spotted an issue with United's play beforehand, posting: '[Matheus] Cunha needs to get on last man with City having 10 men. Give the space to Bruno [Fernandes].'
Players admit below-par display
Youri Tielemans also accepted that the performance against 10 men was below par, regardless of whether the officials got the big call wrong. 'I don't think we created enough chances to win the game anyway,' the Belgian told NBC Sports. 'I thought we were a bit sloppy on the ball and maybe didn't make the right decisions on the final ball.'
He added on MUTV: 'It's disappointing, everyone is disappointed and frustrated because we know we can play so much better. We want to do things well, but today it didn't happen like we wanted. We didn't use the right spaces, we made mistakes in our passes and maybe rushed it a bit too much. We didn't make the right last pass in the final third to create enough chances to score. The process is try to get our heads together and react in the next games, that's the only thing we can do. We can analyse this game and see what didn't happen, and do better in the next one.'
Keane sees pressure but urges calm
Red Devils legend Roy Keane feels it has been a bad start to the season for his former club and the pressure is already on Michael Carrick, but it is not the time to panic. 'I think it's been a poor start, no doubt about it, today was a setback but I still think the players will react properly,' he told Sky Sports. 'They've got games on paper you think are winnable. Certainly no need to panic. But the real challenge for Carrick and the staff is that when they got the job properly, people wanted a good start and he's not had that. No doubt there'll be pressure after today's game. But just keep their heads. United will certainly have to improve at the back, but in terms of going forward, there's a goal threat and I think they'll be fine. Keep their heads. Don't panic.'
