Manchester United: Rio Ferdinand rips into team’s lack of ‘unity’ in defeat against Leicester

Rio Ferdinand rips into Manchester United’s lack of ‘unity’ and pressing ability in lacklustre defeat against Leicester – but insists under-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ‘done enough to warrant finishing this season’

  • Manchester United were outplayed in a 4-2 loss against Leicester on Saturday 
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side conceded several sloppy goals at the King Power 
  • And iconic former defender Rio Ferdinand questioned the side’s togetherness
  • Ferdinand also criticised the lack of a distinct press or a clear team structure 


Rio Ferdinand has blasted Manchester United’s lack of ‘unity’ and pressing ability after a hugely disappointing 4-2 defeat against Leicester on Saturday.

The Red Devils were outclassed, outfought and outplayed as Brendan Rodgers’ side took a fully deserved three points at the King Power.

And iconic former defender Ferdinand declared under-pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be ‘judged’ now he has his own squad, but continued to say he did not believe the club would make a knee-jerk reaction and sack the Norwegian. 

Rio Ferdinand criticised Manchester United’s lack of ‘unity’ after a poor loss against Leicester

The iconic former Red Devils defender believes under-pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (above) will be 'judged' now he has his own squad after a lavish summer of spending

 The iconic former Red Devils defender believes under-pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (above) will be ‘judged’ now he has his own squad after a lavish summer of spending

He told Vibe with Five: ‘I watched the game against Leicester twice, and I was just shocked at how disoriented the team was, how there was no unity within the team, no compactness.

‘The manager’s got to be demanding of these players. You can’t tell me (Jadon) Sancho doesn’t have the capacity to sprint and run to people for 90 minutes. You can’t tell me (Mason) Greenwood hasn’t got the capacity to do it.

‘Maybe (Cristiano) Ronaldo has to turn it on and off but there are some times when you compensate for the players who are going to get you a goal a game, which Ronaldo does. But you can’t tell me (Paul) Pogba can’t run and get after people.’

Ferdinand also admitted being the only player to press without the support of team-mates was massively dispiriting.

Ferdinand posted a clip of his appearance on the 'Vibe with Five' podcast on his social media

Ferdinand posted a clip of his appearance on the ‘Vibe with Five’ podcast on his social media

He added: ‘The biggest thing for me is, if terms of pressing alone, if you go and you don’t see team-mates behind you, it’s the most disheartening thing you can find on a football pitch. 

‘This season now is Ole’s squad… He will be judged on winning things now. He’s got to go and win something and show improvement again and if he doesn’t, then he’s going to be on the chopping (block). 

‘But, I don’t think the club will be having a knee-jerk reaction now. He’s done enough to warrant finishing this season.’ 

United currently lie in sixth, having won four, drawn two and lost two of their opening eight Premier League games; in their Champions League group, they beat Villarreal with a last-minute goal but suffered a shock loss against Young Boys.

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