Rio Ferdinand believes Erik ten Hag “deserves time” to improve Manchester United’s form but has questioned when his “style” is going to be consistently implemented.
Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time winner to earn a much-needed 1-0 victory at Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, a result which leaves United eighth in the table.
The last-gasp win followed back-to-back 3-0 home defeats to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.
In his first season in charge, the Dutchman won the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final and secured UEFA Champions League qualification.
“Hopefully it’s a step building confidence,” former United defender Ferdinand told TNT Sports about the win over Fulham.
“It’s going to be baby steps. You can’t think that we’re going to go from zero to 100.
“This team is lacking confidence, lacking momentum, lacking consistency and questions are being asked of every individual – including the manager.
“I said this to Ten Hag after the game – when are you going to see your style in this team consistently?
“If you haven’t got a style and structure within the team, all you do constantly is rely on individuals. That’ll only take you so far and gives you a ceiling. To get through that ceiling, that structure has to be in place to give that platform to play.”
United are in desperate need of another victory at FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday night, a game which will be shown live on TNT Sports.
Ferdinand says there are often over-reactions when United win or lose and thinks Ten Hag has shown he can bring success to the club.
“He deserves time, I finished the last season very optimistic about this season,” he said.
“The reason why there’s so much negative noise is because of how optimistic we were. We finished third, got a trophy, another final – we’re on to something here, we’ve got the right guy.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries, he hasn’t been able to pick the same back four this season.
“You have to sympathise, but it’s no excuse. Manchester United, the way the club’s been built, has to get results regardless of who’s there.”
United’s next Premier League fixture is at home against Luton Town on Saturday, November 11.
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