Result vs LFC would’ve been ‘very different’ had one player been more clinical; Utd will still get top four, says Ferdinand

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·4. September 2024

Result vs LFC would’ve been ‘very different’ had one player been more clinical; Utd will still get top four, says Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has affirmed his faith in Manchester United finishing in the Champions League places – despite suffering two defeats in their opening three matches.

Indeed, the Red Devils enter the international break in 14th place, while the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion are all unbeaten and therefore occupying the top five of the table after gameweek three.

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It is, of course, still early days, meaning United can propel themselves amongst the mix if they get their act together as soon as possible. Fans needn’t be reminded how critical every single point can prove to be in the Premier League, and how detrimental they are when dropped.

Morale will also be brought into question, given the side were so comfortably overturned by arch-rivals Liverpool on home soil last Sunday. After the loss, Bruno Fernandes shared a realistic yet bleak admission of United’s title chances, ruling them out of the top spot after just 270 minutes worth of action.

“Yes, I am perfectly aware that this Manchester United is not ready to win the Premier League,” the skipped conceded when speaking to DAZN Portugal, as cited by Goal. “We are, indeed, fighting for the title with the concrete and real objective of trying to finish in the top four, in the places that give access to the Champions League.”

Ferdinand reiterates full faith in Erik ten Hag

Still, Ferdinand is of the belief that had Joshua Zirkzee been more clinical in front of goal with his clear-cut chances, the result vs Liverpool could’ve been vastly different.

“Yes,” the former Red asserted on his YouTube channel when asked if he thinks United will finish in the top four. “I believe in Erik ten Hag. [In] the game on the weekend against Liverpool, we still had two really good chances.

“[They] should have been goals, and the result looks very different then. Zirkzee’s game isn’t as a number 9 – he’s a player who likes to link up.”