Rio Ferdinand defends Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka after criticism from Roy Keane

Rio Ferdinand has defended Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka following Roy Keane’s criticism of his “lack of awareness” in their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

Eddie Nketiah added to Bukayo Saka’s solo effort for the Gunners to keep them clear at the top of the Premier League table – despite goals from United’s Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez.

Nketiah beat Wan-Bissaka from distance to nod home in the 24th minute for Arsenal’s first goal – prompting fierce criticism from former United midfielder Keane.

Rio Ferdinand has defended Man United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka following Roy Keane’s criticism

However, Ferdinand has rushed to the defense of the former Crystal Palace defender, claiming that it is not an easy skill to read which side to mark an opponent.

His With the Vibe Five PodcastFerdinand said: “Gary Neville was the best here as a full-back, he was the best at marking the opposite side when the ball came in, so if their full-back crossed the ball, Gary Neville gets himself inside the post. So he gets everything that beats me.

“But he’s also going to attach himself to that dock, hold on to them. Sometimes he’s not as big as those guys, but they have to do a lot to get away from them, and he’d just stand in their way.

Former United defender Ferdinand felt the criticism was harsh because it is difficult to control

‘This [the Arsenal goal] it’s about awareness and seeing the bigger picture, and that comes from repetitions in training.

– For Aaron Wan-Bissaka and all full-backs, it’s a really difficult skill to master. The way the guys talked about it yesterday, it was like easy. It is not easy.

– This is one way in which 33-year-olds are left out at the end of their careers, when they are supposed to know it up front.

“It’s about being on and focused for the full 90. If you switch off in those moments, you’re penalized because you’re six yards away, so it’s a goal.

‘He needs to brace himself. Know him. Or he has to turn and face, but that’s the hardest thing to do and see the crosser and the man.

“You can’t turn your back like he did. When you do that, you have no idea where he is. He didn’t know where he was.

Keane criticized Wan-Bissaka for his “lack of awareness” in the build-up to Nketiah’s first goal

The former United defender made comments about Keane Wan-Bissaka being unaware of the Gunners’ first goal after the match.

“It’s just his ignorance. It’s like he can’t believe someone is coming after him because he sees him, he just falls asleep,” Keane said on Sky Sports commentary.

“Stupid lack of focus considering we praise him by saying he’s a good defender.” Of course he sees her. You have to be aware of him, it’s his job, this is big boy stuff and these are big moments. Do your job, go and attack the ball.