Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he is ‘worried’ about a Manchester United player just a few months after his summer transfer to Old Trafford, following the team’s disappointing performance in the derby against Manchester City.
Ruben Amorim’s team had an underwhelming start to the season, only securing their first Premier League win in their third match against the recently relegated Burnley.
However, after the international break, Man United failed to capitalize on that victory, suffering a lackluster 3-0 defeat to their city rivals on Sunday.
Manchester United legend Ferdinand admitted that he has concerns regarding some of the new signings, with one player, in particular, drawing attention during the game at the Etihad.
‘The one I’m worried about is (Benjamin) Sesko,’ Ferdinand mentioned on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. ‘He’s not getting any chances; he’s not getting any opportunities, and nothing is being created for him.
Manchester United slipped to another dissatisfying defeat against Man City on Sunday
But Rio Ferdinand was quick note that he felt Benjamin Sesko was short on service at the Etihad
‘That’s the concern. A new striker comes in the football club, gets in the team, you’ve got to think about creating chances for him.
‘He needs to focus on getting to the end of things. That’s an area that needs attention and a quick solution. I dread to think what the situation might become if it’s not addressed.’
‘It’s depressing watching United like that,’ Ferdinand continued, adding that although Man United had lost to Man City in previous iterations of the squad, there was something disheartening about the weekend’s performance.
‘The way we allowed them to get in and get goals and get opportunities – it was weak, it was powderpuff, it just lacked anything.
‘I thought in the first-half, we pressed them quite well, and we had possession at times. (But then we) got in the final third, and there was zero creativity. Without Bruno (Fernandes), you’re looking at it going, “who else is going to create something – (Bryan) Mbeumo?” But there’ s no real guile.’
As well as having his doubts over creativity in attack, Ferdinand did not hold back his thoughts on where he believed bigger issues are.
‘Defensively, I thought that was the most concerning thing,’ the former defender added. ‘I’ve been quite complimentary about the defenders and the way we’ve defended it at times this season, but (during the match), I thought it was like a hot knife through butter. it was too easy.’
Ferdinand called out returning star Luke Shaw as ‘100 per cent’ at his ‘worst this season’ and noted that even the introduction of former captain Harry Maguire could not reverse proceedings.
Bruno Fernandes has long been Man United’s foremost creative spark but the captain cannot do it all
Ruben Amorim will look to drastically reverse his side’s fortunes after only four league games
Man United currently sit 14th in the table, but will look to drastically improve their fortunes with a tilt at the European places.
This season, Amorim’s side will go without competing overseas after finishing 15th in the standings.
The squad will also look to focus almost all of their attentions of league performances, after being handed a shock early exit from the Carabao Cup following first-round defeat to League Two strugglers Grimsby.
But Ferdinand was blunt about his belief in Man United’s chances of securing a spot in the Champions League draw next term.
‘If I sit here now and you ask me, “where will Man United finish?”, I would say probably sixth or seventh, I would be happy with it this season.
‘That’s looking like a long shot at this moment in time.’
In an even more concerning turn, Daily Mail Sport reported on Monday that Opta supercomputers gave Man United a greater chance of getting relegated than finishing in the top four next May.
