- United looked set to drop more points until Fernandes stepped up with the winner.
- Ferdinand defended his leadership of the team, calling him a “fantastic captain.”
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Rio Ferdinand criticized Bruno Fernandes after the Manchester United captain saved his team against Rangers.
United looked set for a familiar story in their decisive Europa League clash against the Scottish side on Thursday night when they blew a 1-0 lead, conceding Cyriel Dessers' 88th-minute equaliser.
But Fernandes stepped up, firing in a Lisandro Martínez cross for the first time to ensure United secured all three points and moved into pole position to reach the last 16 of the competition.
After the match, former United defender Ferdinand launched a tough defense of Fernandes, whose leadership has at times been questioned by fans during United's difficult period.
He remains the team's captain as they try to build under Ruben Amorim, and their struggles persist in the Premier League.
“I have heard a lot of people question Bruno Fernandes about his leadership and his captaincy of this football club since he has been here,” Ferdinand began, speaking on TNT Sports. “In terms of creating moments, creating opportunities and scoring goals, this man delivers and steps up again and again for this football club.”
Rio Ferdinand hit out at critics of Bruno Fernandes after his heroics against Rangers on Thursday
The Manchester United captain stepped up late to score a dramatic Europa League winner.
Ferdinand praised “captain fantastic” Fernandes for his leadership as he had previously faced criticism.
United are now fourth in the Europa League standings but may still need to win their final league game against Romanian side FCSB next week to guarantee qualification to the last 16.
As is the case in the Champions League, the top eight teams bypass the play-offs to reach the round of 16, while the teams that finish ninth to 24th will compete in the play-offs.
Meanwhile, Rangers are in 13th place and will need to win with several results also coming their way to have any chance of automatic qualification.
“I'm glad it ended the way it ended for us, for Manchester United,” Ferdinand added. 'It wasn't carefree up there in the heavens.
“I was up there on the porch. I have to say, first of all, the Rangers, who are a depleted team, they have a lot of young players in that team, I think they really handled themselves and behaved very well. Credit.
'Man United left it late. A fantastic captain in many ways, in terms of what he produces in terms of goals and creativity, Bruno Fernandes stepped up when needed and produced a very, very convincing moment in terms of that finish.
