Ferdinand shocked by Erik ten Hag’s tactics against Chelsea
Rio Ferdinand questioned Erik ten Hag’s decision to drop two players for Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea on Thursday night.
At Stamford Bridge, Ten Hag made three changes to his side from the dismal 1-1 draw with Brentford, with Marcus Rashford notably dropped for Antony.
Scott McTominay was replaced by Casemiro in midfield, while Harry Maguire came in for the injured Victor Lindelof.
Ten Hag explained that the changes were simply a matter of rotation and keeping the players fresh with the huge clash against arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
But speaking ahead of kick-off Ferdinand, wasn’t convinced benching Rashford and McTominay was the right call, telling TNT Sports: ‘There’s been a lot of debate about who should be playing who shouldn’t.
‘Marcus Rashford has been a talisman at this football club for a number of years now. I’m hearing behind the scenes that it might be a bit of a knock [for Rashford].
‘We have injuries, but at the same time, when I look at it, we’ve got two players who have done well against the big teams, the big six this year.
‘The top goal scorers against the big six are both on the bench today. McTominay and Marcus Rashford. Rashford has three, McTominay two.
‘I can see why maybe you might have done it, but at the same time, when you think about big games, big moments, against Man City the other day, when you’re looking for a moment from one of the players, Marcus Rashford stepped up.’
In the reverse fixture back in December, United triumphed 2-1 thanks to a McTominay brace, with the Scotland star the club’s second top goal scorer this season behind Rasmus Hojlund.
The decision to start Antony did not go well at first, with the winger giving away a penalty in the first-half after fouling Marc Cucurella, though United still went into the break level after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2.
He redeemed himself in the second-half however, spectacularly setting up Alejandro Garnacho to make the score 3-2.
