RIO FERDINAND reckons Dean Henderson could have done more to prevent Arsenal nabbing a late winner against Sheffield United.
The Gunners narrowly defeated the Blades 2-1 in the dramatic FA Cup quarter-final at Bramall Lane, thanks to Dani Ceballos’ first goal in the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side, whose defending has looked shaky in previous fixtures, secured their victory after Ceballos, 23, squeezed a shot past Henderson’s near post.
And Ferdinand, 41, reckons the Manchester United loanee keeper, 23, should have provided more protection for the Blades at their near post.
The Red Devils icon told BT Sport: “I spoke about this a while ago, as a defender I would be very upset with the keeper there.
“I’m saying to the keeper ‘the front post, nothing goes through the front post.
“The goalkeeper union might suggest something different but when I was playing that was how I used to feel.
Henderson, whose Sheffield United performances have been praised by pundits this season, is being talked of as a potential number one stopper at Man United.
And his reliability between the sticks has led some to call for the 23-year-old to replace David Gea as the main goalkeeper at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Ceballos, whose 91st-minute strike saved Arsenal from a daunting spell of extra time, was praised by former Gunners and United frontman Robin Van Persie.
The winger and his teammates will face either Chelsea or Manchester City or Manchester United at the FA Cup semi-finals in July.
The Real Madrid loanee has been on target twice for the Gunners in 28 appearances across all competitions.
Van Persie told BT Sport: “He waits, he sees, the back post is free for a cross but he’s guessing, hoping that the keeper gambles.
“I think the keeper doesn’t do great here, he can keep his corner more close.”
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