Rio Ferdinand claims that Jonny Evans’ substitution during the derby proved to be a turning point and a “huge disruption” for Manchester United, as Manchester City defeated their fierce rivals 3-1 at the Etihad.
In just the eighth minute of play, Marcus Rashford gave United the lead with a tremendous 30-yard shot that found the top corner of Ederson’s goal.
Erling Haaland missed a clear opportunity to tie the score in the 56th minute, but the Red Devils held off City until the second half. The Premier League winners then equalised with a brilliant goal from Phil Foden.
With 10 minutes to go, Foden doubled his score to put the treble winners of last season ahead, and Haaland finished it off by ensuring three crucial points for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Evans was replaced by Willy Kambwala in the 69th minute, just before City grabbed the lead. Erik ten Hag stated at the press conference following the game that the seasoned Northern Ireland international was not “100% fit.”
For the first time since December 2012, the 36-year-old started a Manchester derby and played well in the defense with Raphael Varane. Ferdinand thinks his departure had a significant effect on the outcome of the match.
‘Evans going off was a big disruption for our team because he’s a cool, calm, collected defender with experience,’ Ferdinand told Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.
‘He’s pulling people about, he’s a communicator. He may not be the quickest or the most mobile but we saw against City, three or four times, he was the one putting himself in front of the ball to block shots, to block the pathway to goal.
‘The only time someone got past him was a free-kick on the edge of the box when Haaland rolled him but I think he was injured at that point.
‘That’s where we are. You look at it and you go, “Jonny Evans was probably one of our top three players today”.’
It is still up for debate whether Evans going off caused United to concede the goal and lose the match in the end. However, there’s no debate about how bad the over all performance of the team was.
The players just kept giving the possession to City and inviting pressure on themselves. The defeat leaves us 11 points behind fourth placed Aston Villa and qualification for the Champions League next season is getting difficult with each passing week.
