Erik Ten Hag doesn’t have what it takes to coach this big club but INEOS will not see it Now to sack Him early until He spoils everything”, Rio Ferdinand blast Ten Hag for benching £60m Man united player last night despite their big win – Not Garnacho and Not Maguire

**Rio Ferdinand Criticizes Erik ten Hag’s Tactics: Is He Fit to Lead Manchester United?**

Rio Ferdinand has openly questioned Erik ten Hag’s recent decisions, raising concerns over the Dutch manager’s ability to manage a club of Manchester United’s stature. His critique emerged after Ten Hag’s surprising decision to leave out a £60 million player during United’s 3-0 win against Southampton, despite the team’s dominant performance. Ferdinand’s comments were not directed at typical targets like Alejandro Garnacho or Harry Maguire but instead focused on the unexpected exclusion of Manuel Ugarte, a high-profile signing expected to play a key role.

In the match, Manchester United secured a comfortable victory with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho. Goalkeeper Andre Onana also played a pivotal role, saving a penalty just before De Ligt opened the scoring. However, despite the positive result, there were questions about Ten Hag’s strategic choices.

Before the match, many were surprised when Christian Eriksen was named in the starting lineup ahead of Ugarte. After Casemiro’s poor performance in the previous match against Liverpool, many had expected Ugarte, signed for £43 million from Paris Saint-Germain, to start. Ten Hag’s choice to bench Ugarte, especially after the disruptions caused by the international break, caught many off guard.

Though Ugarte only entered the game in the 73rd minute, replacing Eriksen, his presence in the midfield helped stabilize the team, contributing to United’s third goal. After the match, Ten Hag explained Ugarte’s limited preparation time, citing just two training sessions with the squad. “He only trained for 20 minutes with the team yesterday. It was short, but we’re glad he could come on and show his quality,” Ten Hag stated.

While Ten Hag’s reasoning seemed logical, Ferdinand remained unconvinced. He questioned whether Ten Hag’s decisions were in the best interest of the team’s long-term success. Ferdinand’s concerns weren’t solely about Ugarte’s exclusion but extended to the broader issue of Ten Hag’s decision-making, fearing that poor choices regarding key players could hinder United’s progress as the season unfolds.

Ten Hag also addressed criticism surrounding Marcus Rashford, who had been under fire for a recent lack of goals. Rashford responded with a well-executed strike against Southampton, his 132nd goal for United. Ten Hag defended his striker, dismissing the negativity around Rashford. “There’s been too much negativity towards him. He’s been creating chances, even in tough games like Liverpool. He deserved his goal,” Ten Hag commented.

Rashford’s goal was a confidence boost, and Ten Hag emphasized the importance of early-season goals for strikers. “Scoring early in the season builds confidence, and that will lead to more goals,” he said. While Rashford’s return to form may ease some pressure, Ferdinand’s concerns about Ten Hag’s leadership linger.

Despite the win against Southampton, Ferdinand remains doubtful of Ten Hag’s ability to guide United forward, particularly with the potential new ownership under INEOS. Ferdinand fears that the new owners might overlook the deeper issues with Ten Hag’s management, allowing problems to fester. He believes that keeping Ten Hag in charge for too long could lead to further setbacks for the club.

As Manchester United continues through a challenging season, Ten Hag’s every decision will be closely scrutinized. Though results on the pitch have been positive, Ferdinand’s criticism underscores growing doubts about whether Ten Hag is truly the right person to return Manchester United to its former glory, or if his tactics are jeopardizing the club’s future.