Manchester United legend has offered a theory behind why a number of players seem to perform significantly better after departing Old Trafford.
Several stars including Scott McTominay (Napoli) and Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) look reborn away from the pressures of Old Trafford.
So far this term, McTominay has managed six goals and four assists as Napoli sit at the summit of the Serie A table. Elanga has equally been impressive for Forest this term, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side strongly pushing for a Champions League finish.
Even Antony, who could barely get a game at United has hit the ground running in Spain with Real Betis. In the two appearances he’s made for the club, the Brazilian winger has registered a goal and an assist. He’s also won the man-of-the-match awards on both occasions.
Marcus Rashford made his debut for Aston Villa on Sunday as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Rashford came on as a second-half substitute and looked good during the time he was on the pitch.
Speaking on the Rio Presents podcast, Ferdinand indicated that players flourish after leaving United because they no longer have to deal with the scrutiny and pressure of being part of England’s biggest football club.
“You look at Antony, he’s got a man-of-the-match performance and a goal and assist in two games. McTominay is playing like primetime Jude Bellingham at the moment. You’ve got Elanga, who’s a flying winger.”
“You’ve got all these players that are leaving the club that are looking like new, dynamic footballers because the shackles are off, and the cloud and the pressure of Old Trafford, the badge, all that that brings, is allowing them to go ‘you know what, wow, what a difference that is.’”
“You’re probably going to see the same from Rashford. It’s about unlocking what has unlocked Old Trafford for these players to perform.”
After United’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Leicester City on Friday, ex-captain Roy Keane indicated that Alejandro Garnacho cannot be trusted to be a regular starter under Ruben Amorim.
Garnacho came on from the bench and made a difference, sparking United into life as they came back from behind to book their spot in the fifth round of the competition.
Reacting to Keane’s comments on Garnacho, Ferdinand was of a different opinion. The six-time Premier League winner remarked, “I don’t think his [Garnacho] stats are unbelievable this season but in terms of impacting the game and putting the other team on the back foot, he is probably one of the only players who does it in our team.”
“You look at him and say his game isn’t 100 per cent clean but that can be developed. But he doesn’t lack effort, he doesn’t lack energy.”
“He’s got a pair of b******s that says he wants the ball, he will take the ball anywhere.”
He has got that belief and character that says I should be here and I should be playing. ‘Give me the ball at all times.’ And in the situation we are in now where there are a lot of players shying away from the ball when the team aren’t doing well, he stands out like a sore form in that respect.”
Ferdinand added that Garnacho reminds him of Luis Nani in that he wants to get on the ball but doesn’t always make the best decisions. However, once they get going, it becomes hard to stop them.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
