Email Rio Ferdinand accused Manchester United of “lacking professionalism” as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at Basel in the Champions League. The defeat to Basel is unlikely to prevent Jose Mourinho’s side reaching the last-16 stage. But it was still a setback to the Red Devils and their Portuguese boss. And former United captain Ferdinand criticised the display, particularly the second-half showing which followed a promising start from the visitors. Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “It’s what you wouldn’t really associate with a Jose Mourinho team — and that’s lacking professionalism. “I think second half they lacked that discipline. “How many times, wave after wave of attack getting beyond the Manchester United midfield — it just wasn’t good enough second half.”

Everton’s striker Oumar Niasse will serve a two-match ban after his appeal against a diving charge was rejected by the Football Association.
 
Oumar Niasse becomes the first Premier League player to be hit with a retrospective suspension for simulation under the new law that kicked in at the start of this season.

He was charged by the FA on Tuesday after winning a controversial penalty in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.

A statement from the governing body on Wednesday said: “Everton’s Oumar Niasse will serve a two-match suspension with immediate effect after his denial of an FA charge of successful deception of a match official was rejected.

“It was alleged he committed an act of simulation which led to a penalty being awarded in the fifth minute of the game against Crystal Palace.

“He denied the charge. However, it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.”

The ban means Niasse, Everton’s top scorer, will miss Premier League games at Southampton on Sunday and at home to West Ham three days later.