Manchester United Legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed the differences between Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka and struggling Manchester United wingers Jadon Sancho and Antony.
Bukayo Saka has started the season in a very rich form. The England international has been instrumental in Arsenal’s impressive start to the season. Saka has scored 4 goals and provided 4 assists in 10 Premier League outings.
The 21- year-old finished 8th on Monday night’s Kopa Trophy ranking for the World’s best Under 21 players. The best rank for any player under the age of 21 in the Premier League.
Rio Ferdinand has indicated Bukayo Saka should be one of the first names on the team sheet for England at the World Cup.
What did Rio Ferdinand say about Bukayo Saka?
The Manchester United Icon said on Vibe with Five: “In this form, you can’t look past Saka on that right-wing spot. I think in an England shirt he does as well.
“He’s a winger who when he gets it, I’ve watched him a couple of times live this year as well, his first instinct and intention is to go past you. We spoke to Nani and he told us that was his intention.
“As soon as he got the ball one vs one, he was looking to beat the full-back. I love that about him, he’s got no fear, and he’s playing with a bit more maturity every time I see him.
“He’s in a good vein of form with a club that’s in a good vein of form. He’s confident and if he’s in that mode getting into the World Cup I don’t see anyone starting in front of him.”
Ferdinand cannot say the same for Manchester United wingers Jadon Sancho and Antony. Jadon Sancho had failed to replicate his form at Borussia Dortmund following his big-money move to Old Trafford.
Antony scored in all his first three Premier League appearances for Manchester United but is still yet to adapt to the tactical demands of Erik Ten Hag.
On the difference between Bukayo Saka and Manchester United winger, Ferdinand added: “We don’t seem to have the imagination in those areas.
“We used to give it to Nani, Giggsy, to Becks even, give it to Antonio Valencia or Cristiano when he’s wide. Get him in a one-on-one situation, either with a good ball from Scholes or Carrick, etc, get them one vs one and do your thing.
“At the moment we get in those positions and unfortunately for us, our wide players are turning away from that, they’re not killing full-backs, they’re not skinning them.
“The best teams wait for that moment in a game, you might only get two or three of those moments where they stand the full-back up, Saka does it at the moment as well as anyone in the league, and say right I’m going to ghost you.
“At the moment our wide players aren’t doing that. Parts of their game are working functionally, other than the City game, they’re getting into a good shape, defensively they are doing well but it’s when we have the ball and want them to do that little bit of cherry on the top stuff. We aren’t getting that now.”
