Rio Fernandes send a warning to Erik Ten Hag as he sets to face Mauricio Pochettino (Chelsea FC) on Thursday Night

Rio Ferdinand, former Manchester United defender turned pundit, didn’t mince words when discussing Manchester United’s upcoming clash against Chelsea. In a recent interview, Ferdinand issued a stern warning to United’s manager, Erik Ten Hag, emphasizing the importance of including Amad Diallo in the starting lineup.

“Dumb coach, baby coach, call it what you want, but if you don’t have Amad Diallo in your lineup against Chelsea, you’re setting yourself up for failure,” Ferdinand asserted passionately. “There’s no other player in that squad better than him right now.”

The warning came as Manchester United geared up to face Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea in a crucial Thursday night showdown. With both teams vying for a top-four finish in the Premier League, the stakes were incredibly high.

Ferdinand didn’t stop at issuing a warning about Diallo; he also provided some tactical insights for Ten Hag, highlighting key Chelsea players that United needed to neutralize to stand a chance of securing victory.

“Listen up, Erik,” Ferdinand continued, his tone serious. “If you want to win this match, you’ve got to keep a tight leash on certain Chelsea players. I’m talking about shutting down their attacking threats and controlling the midfield. That’s where the battle will be won.”

As news of Ferdinand’s warning spread, Manchester United fans were abuzz with anticipation and optimism. They saw Ferdinand’s comments as a rallying cry, a signal that the team was gearing up for a crucial battle against one of their fiercest rivals.

Social media platforms buzzed with discussions and debates about Ten Hag’s lineup choices and tactical approach. Fans expressed their hope that Ten Hag would heed Ferdinand’s warning and advice, ensuring that Diallo was included in the starting lineup and that the team was prepared to neutralize Chelsea’s key players.

For United supporters, Ferdinand’s words served as a reminder of the importance of this match and the significance of every decision made by the manager. As the countdown to kickoff began, anticipation reached fever pitch, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of what promised to be a thrilling encounter between two Premier League heavyweights.