‘Where’s the energy? Urgency? Where’s that fight and that grit?’: Rio Ferdinand slams Man United’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ performance at Burnley… and says they can’t ‘weather storms’ from opponents
- Rio Ferdinand claimed Manchester United not playing well enough for top four
- Ex-United centre-back was left unsure over progression under Ralf Rangnick
- Ferdinand criticised United for a huge drop in performance after half-time
- United dropped to fifth in the Premier League table following 1-1 draw at Burnley
Rio Ferdinand has hit out at Manchester United for dropping more vital Premier League points following another inconsistent display in the 1-1 draw at Burnley.
United dominated the first half at Turf Moor, taking the lead through Paul Pogba and seeing two more goals ruled out as Ralf Rangnick’s side created multiple chances.
Yet an insipid showing followed after half-time, with Jay Rodriguez soon levelling for the Premier League’s bottom side before an entertaining and more even second half saw both sides pick up just a point.
Manchester United dropped two points after stumbling to a 1-1 draw at Burnley
The Red Devils had taken the lead in the first half, through a Paul Pogba strike (partly hidden, second right) in an excellent opening 45 minutes
Former United defender Ferdinand though was left frustrated at the Red Devils’ failure to kick on after the break in an overall performance he felt was not good enough to earn a route back into the Champions League next season.
‘That’s the disappointing thing,’ he told BT Sport. ‘That wasn’t good enough from Man United, in terms of getting the result, getting into the top four and showing progression under this regime under Ralf Rangnick.
‘So it’s disappointing on that front, it wasn’t the performance you want to see; a wholesome performance over 90 minutes.
But Burnley hit back straight after the break through Jay Rodriguez (above) as the hosts came back into the game with a much improved second half display
Rio Ferdinand believes wild inconsistencies are costing United dearly in their top four bid
‘It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance; the first half was really good, leaving you wanting more.
‘In the second half, you’re thinking ‘where’s the energy? Urgency? Where’s that fight and that grit?’
‘You come to grounds like this and you have to weather storms. Manchester United don’t seem to be able do that.’
United defender and captain Harry Maguire showed a nervy performance in the second half
Ferdinand also criticised club captain Harry Magurie for his role in Burnley’s equaliser and that the centre-back has looked inconsistent all season for the Red Devils.
‘The goal was poor on Harry’s part,’ Ferdinand added. ‘He will take responsibility for that. He needs to iron it out. Even the challenge he made over the halfway line. He’s lucky to have stayed on the pitch.
‘It’s a performance he won’t be happy with. I don’t know if it’s a hangover from the Euros, physically and mentally. There hasn’t been the consistency from a player of his stature this season. We can level it at Harry Maguire but this whole team has to take responsibility.’
