Rio Ferdinand lashes out at Manchester United: They deserved to be knocked out with their basketball attitude!

Sports expert and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has criticised the “basketball” style of football that saw the Red Devils crash out of the Champions League in the group stage. Erik ten Hag’s side lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford, capping an unhappy campaign that saw them finish in last place in the Champions League group for the first time since the 2005/06 season.

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Rio Ferdinand has admitted to Eurosport that Manchester United do not deserve to participate in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. In fact, he did not like the “basketball-like” approach to the millionaire competition at all, which saw the Red Devils finish bottom of Group A with just four points from six games.

Erik ten Hag’s charges needed to beat Bayern Munich at Old Trafford and hope Copenhagen draw with Galatasaray in the second leg to avoid relegation. However, Kingsley Coman sealed their fate with a second-half strike to give the German champions a 1-0 victory.

“It’s very disappointing to say the least,” said Rio Ferdinand. “If you look at how this group was drawn, you would expect Manchester United to advance. But to score just three goals in each of their away games and come away with the points they did was terrible. However, they were punished enough,” the Manchester legend did not hide his disappointment.

What does Ferdinand think a “basketball-like” approach means?

“When you get so many goals in the group stage, I think they scored 12 and conceded 15, that’s the problem. United just played basketball – you attack, we attack. Let’s see who will assert themselves,” Ferdinand compared Manchester’s performance to another sport.

“If you’re not clinical, you get what you deserve. If you can’t win games, you don’t deserve to go to the knockout stages.”

It is the fourth time in the last six matches that ten Hague’s charges have not scored at home. Moreover, against Manuel Neuer they recorded only one shot on target. Bruno Fernandes had the home side’s best chance in the second half, but his first-time effort went high over the crossbar, whereupon Bayern subsequently struck.

Following their Champions League elimination and generally woeful performances, opinions have once again surfaced that ten Hag should leave his job as Manchester United head coach. The reputation can be repaired by the Dutchman and his charges on Sunday, December 17, when they take on Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Source: Eurosport, Twitter