Rio Ferdinand did not holdback in his criticism. (Image: TNT Sports.)
laid into the squad in an emotional meltdown during their comeback 2-2 draw at , despite second-half goals from and Manuel Ugarte rescuing a point.
The visitors at Goodison Park put in a despondent opening 45 minutes, which saw side lead thanks to , prompting Ferdinand to eviscerate the performance.
Speaking on commentary for TNT Sports in the second half, shortly before Fernandes’ free-kick caught off guard, Ferdinand blasted a lack of energy and intensity from the Red Devils.
“I’m sitting here and I don’t know if i have seen a United team this bad,” Ferdinand said. “It has been embarrassing in all different facets of the game.
“Yes, we can talk about quality, you talk about talent, but one thing which is unforgiveable is a lack of desire. There’s instances in this game where need to look at this Everton team and take examples from it. It’s embarrassing to sit here and watch it.”
He did later walk back that meltdown and praised United’s resilience in the second half, highlighting the cameo made off the bench.
Dejected Manchester United stars on the pitch. (Image: Getty)
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“Goals change games,” the former and United centre-back added. “Ally [McCoist] noted the substitutions and Bruno playing deeper, the intensity, they are running off the ball…
“Garnacho I think has had a huge impact, they have got the ball into him and he is facing people up. It is a totally different Man United to the one who played in the first half, that was embarrassing. Fantastic response.”
He also praised Fernandes’ work in bringing United back into the game, adding: “For the time he has been here I think he has created as many, if not more, than any other player in the – a fantastic footballer.
“He has just been around a team that [hasn’t played well] because I think he has kept his side of the bargain, his standards have been good, probably one of the only players, maybe himself and maybe to have played anywhere near a standard that was expected of them.”
A late reprieve came for United when Andy Madley pointed to the penalty spot in stoppage time for a pull on Ashley Young inside the penalty area.
However, VAR asked the on-field referee to look at the pitchside monitor and the decision was overturned for a seemingly lack of contact made between Young and the two defenders near him, and .