Ferdinand says Man United's next matches will show their mental state
‘I am only going to start panicking if we get beaten by Southampton’: Rio Ferdinand claims Man United’s next two matches will show ‘where this team is mentally’ after the Red Devils humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool
- Manchester United suffered a shock 7-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool on Sunday
- Several United stars have faced criticism for their performances in the loss
- Rio Ferdinand believes the Red Devils response in the next two matches is vital
Rio Ferdinand has claimed Manchester United’s next two games will show where the team is mentally following their humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.
The United legend had said the mauling at Anfield on Sunday was an ‘absolute massacre’ and told United’s embarrassed stars to let the feeling ‘sink in’.
Ferdinand has called for calm when assessing the individual performances of players as he highlighted the improvement the club has made under Erik ten Hag this season.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Vibe with Five, Ferdinand said the upcoming Europa League tie with Real Betis and United’s next Premier League game against Southampton would be key to showing the impact of the defeat on the squad.
‘To sit here and start picking players out for one performance, we have been sitting here for many months now saying this team are on the upward curve in contrast to what it has been,’ Ferdinand said.
Rio Ferdinand said Man United’s next games are key following the 7-0 loss to Liverpool
The 7-0 defeat at Anfield equalled Man United’s joint-heaviest loss in the the club’s history
Ferdinand believes the next two matches will reveal the squad’s mental state after the defeat
‘They have had one performance and we are going to put them on the floor, I don’t think it is right.
‘When we played, if you lost, you are thinking about Wednesday or Tuesday ‘we do not lose that game’, that was the chat.
‘I am only going to start panicking if we get beaten on Thursday [against Real Betis] or Southampton at the weekend.
‘That will tell me where this team is mentally.’
Several United stars have come under fire in the aftermath of the thrashing at Anfield, which equalled the club’s heaviest ever defeat.
Bruno Fernandes has faced calls to be removed as United’s stand-in captain following his display, while Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez’s performances have been criticised despite the stars playing a vital role in the club’s resurgence this season.
Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra claimed the defeat should be viewed in isolation following a vastly improved season.
‘They are having an amazing season, so it is harsh to condemn them just because of that game,’ Evra said.
‘Yes, that game they didn’t show up.’
The loss came just a week after United had lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley, with Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah all netting twice for Liverpool in the demolition.
Red Devils boss Ten Hag was alarmed at how his team collapsed at Anfield and delivered an x-rated rant in a silent post-match dressing room.
Several United stars have faced criticism for their displays during the defeat on Sunday
Erik ten Hag’s side will look to respond against Real Betis in the Europe League on Thursday
He then hauled his players into the club’s Carrington training complex where the Dutchman then showed his side various sections of their dismantling.
United will look to respond when they host Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.
Relegation threatened Southampton will then visit Old Trafford on Sunday.
The defeat at Anfield saw United fall nine points behind second placed Manchester City, but Ten Hag’s side still have a seven-point cushion over Liverpool in the fight for Champions League qualification next season.
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