H Metro

Ferdinand fumes at Martial

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RIO FERDINAND posted the fuming-face emoji on Twitter after hitting out at Anthony Martial’s lackadaisi­cal display in Manchester United’s defeat by Sheffield United.

The Blades are the Premier League’s worst ever team after 19 games played, but ran out 2-1 winners over a sloppy United side on Wednesday night.

United, who have been in a great form, were far from their best at Old Trafford, but there were a handful of players who were more disappoint­ing than others.

Martial was one of them, and was the subject of Ferdinand’s post-match analysis.

Looking at the build-up to Sheffield United’s second goal, Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “Martial had an off night. The ball goes into him, and in the end he has three players around him — where does [Nemanja] Matic expect him to go?”

On the video replay Martial is seen being dispossess­ed before the Blades break.

Ferdinand continues: “It’s about the reaction, and I want you to see in a minute, Martial, where he ends up when the ball gets around the penalty box for Man United.

“He ambles back. I want to see a reaction of him sprinting back. Jogging. In yesteryear that doesn’t happen. They get back here. Look, there’s Martial, two or three passes have gone on he’s still jogging back, ambling back. I want to see intensity.

“And it’s not just about Martial. It’s not just about him. I could pick a couple out here, and I will. [David] de Gea should clear his lines, get it out of the stadium.”

Moments before Sheffield United scored their vital second goal, Martial was again seen not closing down on the video replay.

The former United centre-back added: “Martial, please sprint to him. Please go out there and affect the man on the ball. He doesn’t.”

After the show Ferdinand took to Twitter to share the BT Sport interview, posting an angryface emoji to further show his disappoint­ment in the Frenchman.

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