Robin Van Persie Claims Manchester United Broke Sir Alex Ferguson Rule During Istanbul Basaksehir Defeat
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Robin van Persie has questioned the commitment of Manchester United's players in their Champions League defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday evening.
Thanks to some horrendous defending, the Red Devils fell to a 2-1 loss in Turkey to heap more pressure on under-fire boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And former United striker Van Persie says the Old Trafford outfit would never have turned in that sort of performance under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"A famous night, a famous win!"
Istanbul Basaksehir, in their first season in the Champions League, have beaten Man Utd :punch: pic.twitter.com/7RZkUtD7ZV
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 4, 2020
"They missed the urgency to commit," Van Persie told BT Sport. "In my time at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson said, 'I don't mind losing as long as my team is not running less than the opponent and I want to see commitment going forward and as well defensively.'
"I'm pretty sure Basaksehir ran more than Manchester United. That should never be the case in any game.
"That has nothing to do with quality or abilities. That's extra. You need to commit, to be there with 100% focus."
Veteran striker Demba Ba opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he was left unmarked in his own half and allowed to run the length of the field to score.
"I've never seen a goal conceded like that first goal," said Van Persie. "Usually you leave two defenders at the back."
Ex-United midfielder Paul Scholes added: "Surely you always have someone back on the halfway line. It's like Under-10s football. It's embarrassing.
"Defensively they're all over the place. They've got to take responsibility."
And former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand was even more scathing, stating: "Where is the organisation in this team? You wouldn't see that on Hackney Marshes."
"Hold on, please Gary."
"Where is the organisation in this team?"
"You wouldn't see this on Hackney Marshes." @rioferdy5 assesses Man Utd's defensive organisation leading to Demba Ba's opener for Basaksehir...
You don't want to miss this! :rage::triumph: pic.twitter.com/eXNMFYTRCS
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 4, 2020
A miserable night for United was summed up when the club's official Twitter account accidentally used the Europa League hashtag following the final whistle.
Such a poor result saw speculation on Solskjaer's future intensify, but the Norwegian told reporters afterwards: "I decline to comment on such a thing. Opinions are out there all the time.
"You've got to stay strong. I'm employed by the club to do a job and I do that to the best of my ability with our staff."
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