Rio Ferdinand took aim at three Manchester United stars for his or her roles in Nottingham Forest’s winning goal on Tuesday night – blasting one in all them for failing to ‘take out’ Anthony Elanga.
Despite signs of a return to form before the international break, United suffered their 13th Premier League defeat of the season against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, falling to a 1-0 defeat.
The visitors were undone after just five minutes.
Former player Elanga got here back to haunt his old side, sprinting 85 meters in nine seconds up the pitch from deep in his own half, keeping his composure to calmly slot past Andre Onana.
United players tried in vain to halt the Swede who was too quick and too powerful.
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Patrick Dorgu was initially beaten for pace with Alejandro Garnacho left on his backside after being easily shrugged off by the Forest winger.
Noussair Mazraoui also tried in vain to stop the goal.
United legend Ferdinand identified three moments where United could have stopped Elanga during his searing run, blasting Dorgu’s defensive position at first of the attack.
The previous England international also took aim at Mazraoui for reacting too slowly in his box, insisting Garnacho must have taken one for the team and brought down Elanga while he still could.
‘I believe there’s three moments where they may have perhaps stopped this goal, Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
‘To start with, it’s a beautiful goal from Elanga, and you’ll be able to’t take anything away from him in that sense.
‘But while you’re on the lookout for a defensive perspective, Elanga is on the sting of the box there.
‘Dorgu’s got to be goal-side. You’ve got to think defensively first. You recognize the threat is pace.
‘Be in a greater position to stop that. Then he’s behind, he’s chasing, can’t get back.
‘And Garnacho has a task to play here. It is best to take him out, foul him there. You’ve got to foul him there. Take him out. You may see the pace, you’ll be able to see the support he has.
‘And Mazraoui’s got to make a call. Before he gets into that box, you’ve got to go and interact the attacking player there. Go into the box, catch up with to goal.’
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