13 December 2023 , 09:22
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Rio Ferdinand has hinted that Erik ten Hag should not blame Manchester United's dreadful form on injuries after they crashed out of the Champions League.
The Red Devils suffered a 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with Kingsley Coman scoring the winner. United needed to beat the German champions and hope Copenhagen's game against Galatasaray ended in a draw. However, Ten Hag's men couldn't even do their job as they finished rock bottom of Group A.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag suggested he didn't have the quality on the bench to go and change the game, especially in forward areas. "The players gave everything, that’s clear," the Dutchman said. "You saw the spirit and I really have to credit the team for the way they worked together as a team against a good Bayern side and the energy, you need it from the bench. For the frontline, those options were limited."
Meanwhile, Ferdinand claimed the United players are going to have to step up and perform, despite the amount of injuries at the club. Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Mason Mount, Anthony Martial and Lisandro Martinez are among United's current absentees, while Marcus Rashford was missing through suspension.
"He's going to have to utilise the squad, players are going to have to step up," Ferdinand told TNT Sports. "There's a crazy stat going around now that the last forward player to score for Man United in the Premier League was Jadon Sancho!
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"Obviously Maguire has worked his way back into the side but had to go off, Luke Shaw another one so these injuries that have been prominent throughout the season are continuing to be an issue. However, you have to show resilience, you have to find a way to look at the younger players to maybe play some more minutes.
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"You look at people on the bench, Wan-Bissaka, he cost £45m. He’s not some kid with no experience, Varane came in today, it’s not like you’re bringing in guys that have never played at this level."
As United finished bottom of their group, they are now out of every European club competition. Galatasaray ended in third, with Copenhagen going through after beating the Turkish side 1-0 at Parken. Ten Hag offered an explanation why the Red Devils could not progress. "So, I look to my team and, yeah, we had opportunities in games and we were in winning positions. I think we scored many goals," the Dutchman said.
"But then also, we have to see we gave it away sometimes by individual errors, but by not one player, but by more players and not every time the same. So, we gave the opponent opportunities to return. But if you assess that, also we had very good spells in such games but we have to do better.
"And the facts are we have not enough points. So, that is of course disappointing. We are disappointed as a group, and as a manager I’m disappointed. We should have done better."