Manchester United icon **Rio Ferdinand** has set social media alight with his explosive post-match verdict, passionately defending **Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo** while launching a scathing attack on **two United midfielders** following a chaotic game.
The former Red Devils captain was crystal clear in his stance — Mbeumo should not carry the blame for missed chances. Instead, Ferdinand argued that United’s midfield pairing were the real culprits, repeatedly gifting Brentford opportunities with careless play.
*“I won’t put it on Mbeumo for not scoring. The real issue is with those TWO United players who gave the ball away 20 times — and they still call themselves top players. That’s why Mbeumo couldn’t make the difference,”* Ferdinand fumed.
### The Stats Back Him Up
Match data showed the duo lost possession more than any other players on the pitch, an astonishing **20 times each**. Their sloppy distribution disrupted United’s flow and left Brentford free to exploit mistakes on the break. Mbeumo, meanwhile, was starved of service and left isolated up front.
### Fans Agree With Rio
Supporters quickly echoed Ferdinand’s frustration, insisting United’s midfield frailties have been a glaring weakness all season. Calls for accountability and higher standards flooded social media, while speculation swirled over exactly which two players Ferdinand had in mind.
### Pressure Mounts on United
Ferdinand’s blunt assessment adds to the mounting pressure on a United side struggling to find consistency. His bottom line was clear: **Mbeumo is not at fault — United’s midfield is letting the team down.** Unless the Red Devils address this chronic weakness, their struggles will continue.
**Key Takeaway:** The issue isn’t Bryan Mbeumo’s finishing — it’s Manchester United’s shaky midfield.
