Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has revealed why players thrive after leaving Old Trafford
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has shed light on why several players seem to perform better after departing Old Trafford.
Ferdinand believes that the intense scrutiny and pressure of playing for England's biggest football club can be overwhelming, and that leaving United can be a liberating experience for players.
What Ferdinand said
"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," Ferdinand said on the Rio Presents podcast.
Ferdinand attributed the resurgence of these players to the fact that they are no longer burdened by the pressure of playing for Manchester United.
"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," he explained.
Ferdinand also predicted that Marcus Rashford, who recently made his debut for Aston Villa, will experience a similar transformation.
"You're probably going to see the same from Rashford. It's about unlocking what has unlocked Old Trafford for these players to perform," he said.
Ferdinand's comments offer insight into the challenges of playing for a high-profile club like Manchester United, and how a change of scenery can sometimes be beneficial for a player's career.
Comments