Rio Ferdinand blasts Man United star for Europa League Final defeat to Tottenham
Rio Ferdinand has pointed the finger of blame after Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Spurs won their first trophy in 17 years after Brennan Johnson’s scrappy first-half strike gave them a 1-0 victory over United in Bilbao.
The win has salvaged Tottenham’s disastrous domestic season, securing Champions League football despite their 17th-place finish in the Premier League.
United, meanwhile, are left without European football after an equally abysmal season, and questions are now being asked about who is to blame for the defeat in Spain.
Patrick Dorgu at fault for United defeat
Ferdinand has criticised left-back Patrick Dorgu for Tottenham’s winner, claiming he should have been “screaming” at Luke Shaw to warn him of the incoming Johnson.
Shaw and Andre Onana were both heavily at fault for the goal, but the Red Devils legend has singled out Dorgu for criticism, insisting Shaw is not at fault.
Dorgu was Ruben Amorim’s first signing for United in January and has struggled mainly since arriving, as the Red Devils form has continued to slide.
Ferdinand told TNT Sports 1 on Wednesday night (21 May): “Dorgu, at no point in this, does he speak to Luke Shaw. I think you always need that help. Maybe it’s an experience thing. He doesn’t let him know. By the time he sees the white shirt flash across him, it’s too late and the ball ends up in the back of the net.
“I always say the defender the furthest away is your talker and your eyes and ears. He has to signal the other players. He has to shout, scream, push, whatever, and let them know players are running across them, and he didn’t do that and they got punished.”
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson criticised Onana’s involvement in the goal, claiming the Cameroonian “fumbled it”.
Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It was a wonderful ball in from the left and the United defence couldn’t deal with it. Johnson got there in front of his marker, Onana dived fumbled it with his left, fumbled it with his right and couldn’t keep it out.”
Tottenham have chance to save their future that United don’t
This Europa League win could be a moment that Spurs fans could look back on and see as a turning point for the club.
For years, Tottenham have been looked down upon as a side that can never get over the line.
Finally, they’ve won something and can build on it.
The Champions League football prize allows them to attract players to improve their side ahead of next season, where improvement is required for Ange Postecoglou’s job prospects.
The Australian may still be sacked after the victory, but he has given his chances of staying a major boost, which can’t be said for his Portuguese counterpart.
United boss Amorim has been given a reprieve thus far in his time in England, but the pressure will be on him to perform next season without European football.
But with their worst Premier League finish ever on the horizon, an immediate way back to success for Manchester United doesn’t look likely.