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Rio Ferdinand Slams Anthony Martial For His Role In Sheffield United's Winning Goal

Rio Ferdinand Slams Anthony Martial For His Role In Sheffield United's Winning Goal

Martial was also criticised by fans.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Anthony Martial has been slammed by Rio Ferdinand for his role in Sheffield United's winning goal at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Ferdinand ruthlessly singled out Martial when analysing Manchester United's surprising 2-1 defeat to Chris Wilder's side.

He pulled no punches in his assessment of the Frenchman's desire during the build-up to Sheff United's second goal.

The BT Sport pundit looked into the sequence of play that he felt summed up a disappointing night for his former team.

Angry Man United fans also criticised the forward's work rate with clips highlighting his poor showing.

"It's about the reaction, and I want you to see in a minute, Martial, where he ends up when the ball gets around the penalty box for Man United," Ferdinand said, examining the goal.

"He ambles back. I want to see a reaction of him sprinting back. Jogging. In yesteryear that doesn't happen.

"They get back here. Look, there's Martial, two or three passes have gone on he's still jogging back, ambling back. I want to see intensity. Matic should be doing the same."

He added: "And it's not just about Martial. It's not just about him. I could pick a couple out here, and I will. [David] de Gea should clear his lines, get it out of the stadium.

"The ball goes to [Lundstram], please, I'm begging you [Matic], get out. Show me your reaction and intensity. Get out and get the ball. He has his hands behind his back which I hate, too.

"Martial, please sprint to him. Please go out there and affect the man on the ball. He doesn't.

"Please, Mr Matic. Get out there and affect the ball. This is like two, or three passes on the ground."

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

Harry Maguire cancelled out Kean Bryan's opener but Oli Burke's deflected strike saw Sheff United win just their second league game of the season in one of the biggest shocks so far this campaign.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men stay in second place, one point behind cross-town rivals Manchester City who have a game in hand.

Featured Image Credit: BT Sports

Topics: Football News, Anthony Martial, Football, Manchester United, Sheffield United, Premier League, Rio Ferdinand