"What type of stupidness was that?" - Rio Ferdinand slams Manchester United star for role in key event in 2-2 draw against Liverpool

Rio Ferdinand has ripped into Manchester United's summer signing Joshua Zirkzee for passing the ball to Harry Maguire in the dying minutes of their 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday (January 5). The former England defender opined that Zirkzee should have attempted to convert the late opportunity himself instead of picking out Maguire.

Manchester United put on a spirited display against a rampant Liverpool side in a match that could have swung either way in the dying embers. After a goalless first half, Ruben Amorim’s men took the lead in the 52nd minute through Lisandro Martinez. Cody Gakpo, however, put the Reds back on level terms seven minutes later.

Mohamad Salah turned the game on its head in the 70th minute by converting his spot kick, but Amad Diallo came up clutch for United in the 80th minute to score an equalizer.

With 20 seconds to go, Joshua Zirkzee received a pass, and the Dutchman had ample time to aim for a goal from his position. Instead, he chose to pass the ball to Harry Maguire, who seemed to be in a better scoring position. However, Maguire missed the big chance and failed to give Manchester United a last-ditch win at Anfield.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast (via YouTube), Ferdinand pulled no punches while discussing Joshua Zirkzee’s pass to Maguire. He said:

"After all of it, I would have gone in the changing room and said, 'Bruv, what type of stupidness was that? What type of pass was that? We could have won the game.' But Zirkzee is lacking in confidence so he [Maguire] ain’t going to do that. It’s detail, bro. You know what it’s like? Talk to somebody like you want to be talked to. Pass how you want to receive. Same thing."

Watch here (18:08)

"I think it was the perfect decision" - Ruben Amorim on Joshua Zirkzee passing the ball to Harry Maguire during Liverpool vs. Manchester United

While Rio Ferdinand was critical of Zirkzee’s decision to pass the ball to Maguire late in the game, new boss Ruben Amorim leaped to the player's defense, saying Maguire was in a better scoring position.

He said (via Metro):

"For me, I think it was the perfect decision because he can shoot but he put the ball more in the centre. The ball was really slow for Harry to score but sometimes you cannot do it. But Josh made a good decision in my opinion."

Liverpool are atop the Premier League table with 46 points after 19 games, while Manchester United are in the 13th position with 23 points after 20 games.