Former Man Utd Star Criticizes Erik ten Hag’s ‘Playing Style’ Claims amidst Controversial Tactics
Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United star, has expressed his skepticism regarding Erik ten Hag’s claims that the team has a clear style of play. In fact, Ferdinand believes that the Red Devils’ playing style resembles “kamikaze chaos” football, rather than a well-defined strategy. This criticism comes after Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday, where they were fortunate to secure a point.
Throughout the season, Manchester United has struggled defensively, conceding a significant number of shots. In their match against Liverpool, the visitors produced a staggering 28 efforts on goal at Old Trafford, with most of them going to waste. While Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo’s brilliant strikes earned United a point, the overall performance of the team did not impress Ferdinand, who places the blame on the manager.
During an interview on Vibe with Five, Ferdinand stated, “The manager came out before and was saying ‘if anyone can’t see the style of play then I don’t know what you’re looking at’ and basically ‘we have got a style of play.’ For the life of me, I give him the benefit of the doubt every time, and I’m looking at him thinking every time ‘what is it’?” According to Ferdinand, Ten Hag’s style of play is far from what he considers to be effective football.
Ferdinand also dismissed the possibility of injuries being the reason for Manchester United’s chaotic playing style. He pointed out that many other teams also face injuries but still manage to maintain a clear football strategy. In his opinion, Ten Hag’s style is not what he would define as “kamikaze chaos football.”
When asked if he would reconsider his tactics in future matches, Ten Hag firmly stated that there is no need to do so. He believes that when facing top teams like Chelsea and Liverpool, the game naturally becomes a transition game, with both teams wanting to play and leaving space for others. Despite acknowledging that there were moments where defensive reactions could have been better, he emphasized that the team only conceded goals from set plays.
In conclusion, Rio Ferdinand’s criticism of Erik ten Hag’s claims of a clear style of play at Manchester United raises questions about the team’s tactics. While the team has managed to secure results, their defensive vulnerabilities and lack of control in matches are concerning. Only time will tell if Ten Hag can address these issues and implement a more effective playing style for Manchester United.
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