Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has singled out three players for criticism following their 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
Anthony Elanga scored a stunning solo goal in the fifth minute to give the hosts all three points, boosting Forest’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
The result leaves United in 13th place on the table, staring at their first bottom-half finish in 35 years.
Elanga, who left Manchester United in a £15million deal in 2023, picked up the ball from inside his own half before running 85 meters in nine seconds and slotting past Andre Onana.
Ferdinand pointed out three moments where United players could have stopped Elanga’s goal, criticizing Patrick Dorgu, Alejandro Garnacho, and Noussair Mazraoui for allowing Elanga to run through.
Ferdinand stated that Dorgu should have been goal-side, while Garnacho should have fouled Elanga to prevent the goal.
Additionally, Mazraoui was criticized for not engaging the attacking player sooner and not making a decision to go into the box and get closer to goal.
Ferdinand praised Elanga’s goal, saying, “It’s a wonderful goal from Elanga, and you can’t take anything away from him in that sense.”