Ferdinand hails Davies for ‘game-changing’ tackle after Ten Hag’s defensive criticism

It took only minutes for Erik ten Hag’s pre-match comments about Alphonso Davies to come back and bite him.

The Manchester United manager wasn’t entirely flattering about Bayern Munich’s star left back, but that quickly changed in a 4-3 loss for the Red Devils.

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United’s Champions League opener ended in defeat, and a brutal one at that, with key errors robbing them of the chance to take anything from a vulnerable Bayern side.

Speaking ahead of the match, Ten Hag discussed his decision to start young Uruguayan Facundo Pellistri, and explained it was a lot to do with a match-up against Davies.

“Tactically it fits very good because they have Davies who’s very offensive and has a lot of speed and Pelle can match that,” the Dutchman said. “He can match that defending, and also offensively.

“He has capabilities to also go into attack, Davies is not a great defender, and his dribbling, so I think it’s a good game for him.”

Those comments were almost instantly put to the test when the away team got off to a better start at the Allianz.

United almost had the lead when Christian Eriksen picked out Facundo Pellistri in the six-yard box, but on hand was Davies to make a stunning last-ditch tackle, with the ball landing back at Eriksen who saw Sven Ulreich save his follow up attempt.

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Speaking on TNT Sports, United legend Rio Ferdinand said: “This is a game-changing tackle”, before complimented Davies’ ‘fantastic timing’.

And it proved to be exactly that, with Bayern instead taking the lead through Leroy Sane, with thanks to an Andre Onana error, instead setting the tone for what would be a big Bayern win which also saw Harry Kane score.

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