Rio Ferdinand admits watching £30m Manchester United man is ‘killing me’

Rio Ferdinand admits watching £30m Manchester United man is ‘killing me’

Rio Ferdinand admits watching £30m Manchester United man is ‘killing me’

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand is not enjoying the sight of Victor Lindelof playing at left-back at the Premier League giants as Erik ten Hag continues to battle with never-ending injury issues.

 

Just as things appeared to be looking up again, the news emerged that Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir have picked up knocks in the build up to Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool.

 

Manchester United have now suffered over 50 cases of players missing games through injury or illness during Erik ten Hag’s second season at the helm, the Red Devils limping through the vast majority of the current campaign without a single recognised left-back at their disposal.

 

Victor Lindelof, Diogo Dalot and Sofyan Amrabat have all had spells on the flank during the absences of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, with the Swede the most likely to get the nod when Liverpool arrive at Old Trafford.

 

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“It’s killing me (seeing Lindelof forced to play at left-back),” Ferdinand sighs during his latest edition of the Vibe with Five podcast. “He’s been doing alright.

 

“But you never want to be doing that, playing people out of position, never playing the same back four.”

 

Lindelof has started at left-back in each of Man United’s last five Premier League games. He was bailed out by an outstanding Andre Onana performance during February’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa, and beaten by Phil Foden as the England international cancelled out Marcus Rashford’s screamer in the Manchester derby.

 

 

In addition to struggling with the defensive side of the job, the right-footed Lindelof offers little going forward either, his tendency a shift the ball onto his right boot impeding the balance of United’s attack.

 

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The return of Aaron Wan-Bissaka – spotted back in training this week – could bring about an end Lindelof’s time on the left, at least. Wan-Bissaka’s comeback means Ten Hag has the option of shifting Diogo Dalot to the opposite flank.

 

Man United have also welcomed Mason Mount back to the training pitch, while top scorer Rasmus Hojlund is expected to feature this weekend.

 

According to Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, United are expected to prioritise a new left-back during their first summer under Ineos control.