‘School football’ - Rio Ferdinand slams Man Utd players for major mistake in Galatasaray loss

Rio Ferdinand said a lack of concentration cost Manchester United in Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.

The Red Devils led twice at Old Trafford but ultimately came away without any points, on a night that was riddled with defensive errors. The two United leads lasted for six and then three minutes against Galatasaray, before Casemiro was sent off and the hosts conceded a late third.

Speaking after the game, Ferdinand criticised the lack of defensive leadership from the team, before claiming that even in kids football there is an understanding that extra focus is needed after scoring.

“This is about concentration and we’re not talking about young players, we’re talking about experienced players who know their way around a football pitch and have won things at the top level,” the ex-United defender said on TNT Sports.

“It’s disappointing but I don’t think you can point your finger at just the defence. I think the whole team need to have awareness, especially when you go a goal up. It’s school football, Sunday [League]. Here, in the Champions League, you need to make sure you’re concentrated in moments when you have just gone ahead because the opposition are going to be trying to come out of the traps and hit you.”

All of United’s back five made individual errors in the 3-2 defeat, and Ferdinand claimed the defenders must improve in the coming matches. “It’s the team. I always believe that, but individuals do have moments in games,” said the 44-year-old. “I believe you need organisers at the back, whether that’s goalkeeper or one of your centre halves who talks and communicates.

“In two of those goals especially, there was no leadership in terms of the backline controlling the situation. I spoke about one of the goals about understanding where is your mindset in terms of of ‘what ifs’. What if a mistake is made? What if someone underhits a pass and it goes behind us? You have to think like that.”