By: Ibrahim Mshelia
Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand has said that Ralf Rangnick is making Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani useless.
Hitting out at Rangnick’s tactics, the former England international queried why the German had such forwards in his team without players that are capable of crossing the ball from wide areas on the field.
Ferdinand was angered by Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Monday and believes the interim boss is not getting the best out of Ronaldo and Cavani, the Red Devils’ biggest attacking threats.
A late strike from Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho condemned United to a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford being their first under Ralf Rangnick.
It was also Manchester United first defeat to Wolves since 1980 and iy was a deserving victory for the visitors who dominated the game.
Ferdinand feels the current tactics by Rangnick hinder the performances of star strikers Ronaldo and Cavani.
“My biggest gripe is when you’ve got Cavani and Ronaldo in your team, two of the best attackers of the ball from wide areas and you don’t play with any width or players that are capable of putting the ball in from wide areas, then it almost feels as though it’s a pointless task,” he told Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.
“You have to play to their strengths. Ronaldo can do other things as well, so can Cavani.
“But if two of their big things are when you cross the ball, get the ball in the box.
“I know when he plays the 4-2-2-2 it’s about full-backs being the width, but Wan-Bissaka is not the man to cross the ball.
“Shaw can do it when he gets up there but we didn’t have enough possession against Wolves.”
Ferdinand pointed out that the way Manchester United were playing did not allow them to cross the ball into good positions for the ever-ready Ronaldo and Cavani.
The defeat to Wolves at Old Trafford meant that Manchester United are now four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, though the Red Devils have a game in hand.
Their next league match will be against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa and Rangnick will be without Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay who will be serving a one-match suspension each.
