Manchester United conceded two late goals in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday afternoon as Usain Bolt begged Rio Ferdinand to contact the players and give them some harsh lessons
Rio Ferdinand has been told to give the Man Utd defenders some advice
Rio Ferdinand has been told to give the Man Utd defenders some advice
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Usain Bolt has slammed Manchester United for some of their defensive tendencies after watching back their Tottenham draw and pleaded with Rio Ferdinand to leverage his reputation to address the squad.
The Red Devils surrendered two late goals in north London and were staring down the barrel of a 2-1 defeat. However, Matthijs de Ligt struck a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to allow Ruben Amorim's men to salvage a point and preserved their unbeaten streak.
United appear to have turned the tide in recent weeks, securing three victories and two draws from their previous five matches. Yet the Olympic legend remains unimpressed and demands significant alterations to the team's defensive approach.
Addressing the former United centre-back, he implored the defender to reach out to current players and give them some pointers on the fundamentals. Speaking on Ferdinand's YouTube channel, he declared: "I just watched the United game, one of our biggest problems is when we invite pressure onto ourselves.
"They're always running back, all we do is invite pressure. Please (Rio), I'm begging you man. Get to the team and say something. You are one of the greatest defenders Man United ever had, please bro, it's stressing me out.
"I know you have nothing to do with this but tell the guys to pass the ball quicker. Oh my god bro. They don't know how to defend one-on-one. Shaw is the only one that seems like he understands. All they know is system, lineup and play well. They don't know how to step up, push the defender and then go back into your line. I push up (as a defender) and the midfield slots in. Please Rio, get to somebody."
United have shipped 18 goals so far this campaign - matching the worst defensive record of any team currently in the top half of the table. They have appeared more solid since establishing Senne Lammens as their number one, though problems persist.
Tottenham scored two late goals against Man Utd - who managed to battle back for a point in stoppage time
Tottenham scored two late goals against Man Utd - who managed to battle back for a point in stoppage time
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Ferdinand appeared less concerned than Bolt, insisting supporters must lower their expectations with Amorim clearly in a reconstruction period. The side ended up 15th last season and securing European qualification this time around would represent progress.
"We're still in this rebuilding phase and I think that's why we've got to manage the expectations of fans," he said. "I've seen some people going off on one, going crazy saying, 'the manager ruined it with his substitutions'."
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