“Rio Ferdinand Defends Benjamin Šeško, Blaming a Manchester United Star — Not Šeško — for the Defensive Mistakes That Gifted Tottenham Two Goals”
When the final whistle blew at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, frustration filled the air. Manchester United had thrown away another winnable game, succumbing to errors that once again highlighted deep-seated structural flaws. Fans quickly pointed fingers at new striker Benjamin Šeško, claiming his lack of composure and missed opportunities contributed to United’s downfall.
But one man wasn’t having it. Club legend and former captain Rio Ferdinand came to Šeško’s defense, launching a strong critique of what he called “lazy analysis.” According to Ferdinand, Šeško was far from the problem. The real issue lay elsewhere — with a certain United star whose individual mistakes led directly to both of Tottenham’s goals.
“People blaming Šeško don’t understand football,” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast. “He actually gave his best — made runs, pressed, tried to link play. But one of our so-called stars let the team down badly. He was the reason both those goals happened, and nobody’s talking about it because of his reputation.”
—
Šeško’s Effort, Overshadowed by the Scoreline
It’s easy to scapegoat strikers when a team loses. Missed chances stand out; they make the highlight reels and dominate post-match discourse. Yet, when you look closely at the numbers and movement, Šeško’s performance wasn’t nearly as poor as the criticism suggests.
He registered multiple off-the-ball runs that opened space for teammates, pressed the Spurs defenders into mistakes, and dropped deep to link play. In the 55th minute, he even forced a crucial save that kept United in contention.
“He did everything you’d expect from a modern forward,” Ferdinand insisted. “He worked his socks off. The problem is behind him — in the structure and in a certain player who switched off when it mattered most.”
—
The Defensive Collapse
Tottenham’s two goals were carbon copies of issues United have faced all season: lapses in focus, poor positioning, and lack of communication at the back.
For the first goal, a simple through-ball cut through the defense. The guilty United player — who Ferdinand didn’t name directly — failed to track his man and reacted too slowly as Spurs capitalized.
The second goal was even more infuriating. A loose pass in midfield led to a Tottenham counterattack. Again, the same player was caught out of position, leaving the defense exposed. Spurs’ attackers did the rest, punishing the lapse ruthlessly.
“It’s about concentration,” Ferdinand explained. “You can’t switch off at this level, especially against top opposition. That’s not on Šeško. That’s on the player who was meant to lead by example.”
—
Protecting the Star
What frustrates Ferdinand most is the silence surrounding the real culprit. “Because he’s a big name, people won’t say it,” he said. “If it were a younger player or someone new to the league, everyone would be crucifying him. But because he’s a fan favorite, people brush it under the carpet. That’s hypocrisy.”
This has been a recurring theme in United’s recent seasons: some players are untouchable in public opinion, while others shoulder disproportionate blame. Ferdinand’s comments highlight that even legends of the game are noticing the imbalance.
Football is often about perception. Strikers live and die by goals; defenders and midfielders can hide behind team effort. But in this case, Ferdinand wants fans to look beyond the easy narrative and confront the uncomfortable truth — a senior star is not pulling his weight.
—
The Broader Problem
Beyond one player’s errors, Ferdinand pointed to systemic issues in United’s setup. He described a team that looks disjointed, lacking clear communication between the midfield and defensive lines.
“You can’t have gaps like that between units,” he said. “When one part of the system doesn’t trust the other, mistakes happen. Players start overcompensating, stepping out of position, and suddenly the shape collapses.”
It’s a criticism that has haunted United through multiple managers. The pattern is familiar: brief spells of cohesion followed by confusion under pressure. Tottenham exploited those cracks expertly, just as other teams have throughout the season.
—
The Šeško Factor
Benjamin Šeško joined United with high expectations. Young, dynamic, and brimming with potential, he’s seen as part of the club’s long-term rebuild. But like many newcomers, he’s finding the Premier League a steep learning curve — fast, physical, and unforgiving.
Ferdinand believes the club and fans must show patience. “This kid is 21. He’s adapting to the hardest league in the world,” he said. “You can’t judge him off two or three missed chances. Look at Haaland’s first few months at Dortmund — he missed plenty too. Now look at him. Give Šeško time, and you’ll see what he’s capable of.”
By shifting the blame from Šeško to a more senior player, Ferdinand’s message is clear: the problem isn’t effort or attitude from the younger generation. It’s leadership and accountability among the established core.
—
Dressing-Room Accountability
Several reports following the match suggested rising tension inside the dressing room. Certain players are reportedly frustrated with how mistakes are handled — some are called out publicly, others protected. That uneven treatment erodes trust.
Ferdinand, a former captain, knows how damaging that can be. “You can’t build a winning team when some players feel immune,” he said. “In my day, if you made an error, you owned it. Doesn’t matter if you were a Ballon d’Or winner or a benchwarmer — the standard was the same.”
His words echo the sentiment among many fans who miss the ruthless accountability that once defined United. Without it, mediocrity festers.
—
What Needs to Change
For United to move forward, Ferdinand believes two things must happen: a tactical reset and a cultural reset.
1. Tactical Discipline: Every player must understand their role in and out of possession. Lazy tracking or positional confusion costs goals.
2. Cultural Honesty: The club must restore transparency. Players should face criticism when they err, regardless of stature. Only then will standards rise again.
He added, “United’s biggest opponent right now isn’t Tottenham, City, or Liverpool — it’s themselves. They keep repeating the same mistakes because no one inside is addressing them properly.”
—
Fans Begin to See the Pattern
After Ferdinand’s comments, social media discussions shifted. Fans began re-watching highlights, noticing the very lapses he described. Clips surfaced online showing the unnamed star hesitating at crucial moments, failing to track back, and leaving defenders stranded.
One fan wrote, “Rio’s right — watch the second goal again. Šeško did his job; the other guy switched off completely.” Another said, “People owe Šeško an apology. He’s not the problem. The midfield lost discipline.”
While the debate rages, one thing is clear: Ferdinand’s words have forced supporters to look deeper than surface-level scapegoats.
—
The Takeaway
Ferdinand’s defense of Benjamin Šeško is more than loyalty to a fellow professional — it’s a call for fairer, smarter analysis. He wants fans and pundits alike to see football for what it is: a collective game where responsibility doesn’t always fall on the most visible face.
Šeško’s energy, movement, and work ethic may not have been enough to change the result against Spurs, but he wasn’t the reason United conceded twice. That responsibility, Ferdinand insists, lies with a senior figure who failed to lead by example.
Until United fix that — until everyone in red accepts their share of the blame — the cycle of disappointment will continue.
—
In the end, Ferdinand summed it up best:
> “Stop blaming the wrong people. Šeško did his job. It’s time some of the so-called stars did theirs.”
Leave a Reply