"We were an embarrassment today" - Rio Ferdinand reacts as Manchester United lose 3-0 to Tottenham
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has reacted to the Red Devils enduring a 3-0 loss at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. The two sides faced off at Old Trafford on September 29 in the Premier League with the hosts struggling to get into the game at any stage.
An early goal from Brennan Johnson was orchestrated by Micky van de Ven. The centre-back drove the length of United's half before putting the ball on a plate for Johnson to finish in the 3rd minute. Bruno Fernandes picked up a red card in the 42nd minute before Dejan Kulusevski scored the second goal on the cusp of half time.
In the second half, a 77th minute goal from close range by Dominic Solanke sealed the three points for Spurs with Manchester United looking disoriented. Rio Ferdinand spoke after the game, sharing his thoughts and his disappointment in his former club on social media:
"And we'll get to the red card in a minute, but Van Der Ven ran through the whole team. And I look at it and just think, but it happened mid-week as well. It happened mid-week. Where's the pride, man? Like, I just, I don't know, that fight doesn't seem like it's where it should be."
He discussed the red card, admitting that referee Chris Kavanagh should not have sent Bruno Fernandes off. However, he warned that going down to 10 men was no excuse:
"The Bruno red card, I think, is piss poor as well. I think it's a bad red card. In no day and age should that ever be a red card. A straight red, no way, I can't have it. But, do not let that distract from the fact that we were terrible."
"We were an embarrassment today. The red card shouldn't be an excuse for anybody at Man United now. It shouldn't be an excuse for anyone at the football club."
He finished:
"We were terrible. We were terrible to watch. It was a terrible kind of representation of who we are and what we are right now. Giving the ball away, constantly. I'm ranting here, but I can't help it. I sat there and watched the game and just thought like, what the hell are we?"
Manchester United will now turn towards the Europa League, where they face Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on October 3.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes questions referee's decision to send him off
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes saw red after his tackle on James Maddison. The playmaker's foot was high, leading the referee to brandish the red card immediately, and VAR did not intervene in the decision.
Fernandes spoke about the sending-off afterwards, admitting to Sky Sports (via Fotmob):
"Part of slipping going in, I didn't go in with the studs, I take him with my ankle. It's a clear foul but never a red card... In the eyes of everyone, you can see it's never a red card..."
Fernandes may be out of contention for the next three games unless Manchester United are able to appeal the red card and reduce his suspension.