Are you Fer real?
Footage of Rio Ferdinand with his head in his hands after Galatasaray’s dramatic equaliser against Manchester United has went viral on social media.
Ferdinand was on co-commentary duties for TNT Sports for the game in Istanbul and a video posted by the broadcaster’s social media team showed the former United defender’s reaction to each of the goals scorer in the 3-3 draw.
As expected, Ferdinand expressed his delight as United raced into an early advantage but like many of the club’s supporters, was left frustrated by the manner in which the Red Devils conceded.
Ferdinand’s frustrations told its own story after Kerem Akturkoglu drilled home Galatasaray’s equaliser.
The former England international appeared shell shocked with his hand on his head whilst sitting in his seat at the commentary desk.
His reaction was one likely to have been mimicked by the travelling United fans who could now see their European hopes extinguished in two weeks’ time.
VAR controversy?
Galatasaray’s opening goal in the 3-3 draw against Manchester United should have been ruled out due to a little-known rule.
Former Chelsea player Hakim Ziyech scored a low free-kick on the edge of the box on the right-hand side and beat Andre Onana – who struggled on the night – to find the back of the net and make it 2-1.
It wasn’t Ziyech’s taking of the set-piece that was the issue though – it was the Galatasaray players in the box.
United had five players lined up in a wall inside the area to try to guard Onana and stop Ziyech from finding the back of the net.
The rules state that if three or more defending players form a wall, all attacking players must remain at least one metre from the wall until the ball is played.
However, two of Galatasaray’s stars were not one metre away before the ball was played and were in fact stood in the wall itself.
Ziyech’s free-kick got through the gap in the wall that the Galatasaray players were stood round, too, but the goal stood nevertheless.
New FIFA rankings
England have risen up to third in the latest FIFA world rankings – their joint highest-ever position.
The Three Lions have moved up from fourth in the list having finished top of Group C in their unbeaten Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Despite struggling in their final two matches against Malta and North Macedonia, England have leapfrogged above Brazil, who have dropped down to fifth.
Only the 2022 World Cup finalists Argentina and France now sit above Gareth Southgate’s side, with the South Americans top of the pile.
It is the third time since the FIFA rankings were introduced in 1992 that England occupy third position.
They previously sat there under Roy Hodgson’s tutelage briefly in 2012, before again lifting to third shortly after the delayed Euro 2020 final.
England stood 12th in the rankings when Southgate succeeded Sam Allardyce in 2016, but they have been a permanent resident of the top six since their run to the semi-finals in the 2018 World Cup.
Surprise transfer?
Manchester United have been told to replace butterfingers goalkeeper Andre Onana with Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal.
talkSPORT Breakfast hosts Alan Brazil and Gabby Agbonlahor were discussing the Red Devils No.1’s future after he dropped another disasterclass in the Champions League against Galatasaray.
Former Villa captain Agbonlahor doubts whether United would ditch Onana now, just months after spending around £47million to sign him from Inter Milan.
But ex-United striker Brazil insists his old club won’t win anything with Onana between the sticks, and that ruthless billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not hesitate to make big decisions when he begins his new role at Old Trafford.
Big Al: “Onana is an accident waiting to happen – what about Ramsdale at Manchester United?”
Gabby: “I don’t think so. I don’t think Arsenal would sell him, I feel Arteta will want him as back-up.”
Big Al: “Why? I think if Ramsdale wants to go, he’ll get a move. He’s not playing!”
Gabby: “With what Man United paid for Onana, I can’t see them going out and buying another goalkeeper.”
Big Al: “But there’s a new owner coming in now, he’s putting in £1.3billion, he might say: ‘Right, I’m now in charge of transfers – he goes. We’re not going to win anything with him’.
“Which would be harsh on Onana because he’s a good shot stopper at times and he’s made some good saves.
“But you don’t become a multi-billionaire by luck, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be ruthless and he might just say: ‘We’ve got to get rid of the deadwood now, I want us at the top again. This is not good enough just qualifying for the Champions League. We want to be the champions of England and favourites to win the Champions League.
“That’s the way he’s got to think if he’s putting that kind of money in.”
Joint responsibility
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are conceding too many goals but refused to blame Andre Onana despite the goalkeeper’s errors at Galatasaray severely damaging their chances of Champions League progression.
“We scored also quickly after each other,” United manager Ten Hag said.
“It’s about the point when you are leading, when you are 2-0 up and you have to manage the game. Not so easy.
“We give free-kicks away and we have to defend them better twice. I have to say also that is Hakim. He is brilliant, I know that. He is extraordinary.
“To give free-kicks, it’s difficult to defend as well. In such areas, we have to be in more control.
“It is always about incidents, always about details and some incidents we can manage better.
“As a team, we have to learn from it because we are conceding too many goals and it is unnecessary and avoidable.
“I am sure our team is experienced enough and capable enough to manage this and we will do better.
“What is enjoyable is the progress we have and the way we play football. We dictated the game, we scored so many goals – it was about plan, creativity, being proactive and brave. That makes me happy.”
Blame game
Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor insists Andre Onana needs to take a significant chunk of the blame for Manchester United’s collapse at Galatasaray.
The Red Devils goalkeeper failed to stop two free-kicks which many would expect to be saved as United threw away a two-goal lead and drew 3-3.
“I feel sorry for Onana,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. “There’s a clip of him throwing his gloves to the ground after the game. He’s angry with himself.
“But those two free-kicks… you can’t score those. They’re easy saves and he’s cost his team.
“If Onana doesn’t make those two mistakes, I think United go on to win 4-1.
“He’s so laid back on the ball that he can’t switch on, he’s late to dive for the free-kicks.”
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