Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has criticised the team’s defensive performance following their disappointing 3-0 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, highlighting their continued struggles to defend against crosses.

According to a report by Daily Post on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Michael Carrick’s side suffered another setback as Bournemouth claimed all three points through goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson.

The defeat added to United’s difficult start to the campaign, with the team continuing to struggle for consistency and defensive stability under Carrick.

Ferdinand, who enjoyed a successful career as a central defender at Old Trafford, reacted to the result on X, expressing frustration at how easily Bournemouth created opportunities and found the net.

“So so easy for Bournemouth to score…conceding from another cross,” the former United defender wrote.

His comments drew attention to a recurring concern for the Red Devils: their ability to deal with deliveries into the penalty area. Bournemouth’s attacking approach exposed weaknesses in United’s defensive organisation, allowing the visitors to score three times in front of the home supporters.

For a club with Manchester United’s ambitions, the result represents another worrying performance, particularly as defensive errors continue to undermine their efforts to collect points.

According to the report, United dropped to 16th place in the Premier League table after eight matches, increasing the scrutiny surrounding Carrick and his team. The disappointing position has raised further questions about the squad’s ability to recover and establish a consistent run of results.

United must now prepare for their next Premier League fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 31. The match will provide Carrick’s players with an opportunity to respond to the Bournemouth defeat, although they will need to improve significantly to avoid another setback.

Strengthening their defensive organisation will be a major priority, especially when dealing with crosses and opposition attacks inside the penalty area. United will also need greater concentration across the back line to prevent opponents from exploiting similar weaknesses.

Ferdinand’s reaction reflects the frustration surrounding the club after another disappointing result. With pressure mounting, United will be expected to address their defensive problems and deliver a stronger performance against Chelsea as they attempt to improve their position in the league.