Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford and Antony following Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Arsenal.
The club legend was talking on his podcast and admitted to needing to own up to his Eriksen judgement from earlier in the transfer window.
“Can I just give a special, special shout out please – to my man of the match Christian Eriksen,” said Ferdinand.
“I have to hold my hand up, I was one of them who was a bit sceptical about the signing. But it’s another signing, I’m sure from Erik ten Hag, it was his decision to take him. And at the moment, you cannot argue with this decision that he’s made.
“His passing, listen he may not have assisted every one of the goals, but his passing for two of the goals. Rashford’s pass, the first one when he wrapped it with the eyes, took out about five players of the Arsenal team – great ball.
“The other one where he plays it forward into Bruno. Bruno then outside of the foot puts it in for Rashford. And obviously the assist. His forward passing is up there at the best in the league at the moment, he is tremendous. So Eriksen, I salute you.”
Ferdinand also praised Rashford’s performance in front of goal. The England star scored just five times last season but now has three after his brace.
He added: “Marcus Rashford today, an assist and two goals, and Marcus Rashford who is still searching for the supreme confidence that he came under the spotlight with.
“I think the catalyst for that [his performance], is that he’s gone back to basics. And that’s what we’ve been asking for. He’s gone back to basics. He runs around chasing balls into the goalkeeper lost causes and things like that remind me and take me back to a little bit to Carlos Tevez.
“He was like a player who got the fans off their seat for things like that. Got the crowd going, generated an atmosphere, made the other players on the team think, ‘right, we’ve got to go as well.’ And if he can keep that in his game, the other elements that he has: the quality the ability to run behind teams and scare teams, and then finish or put chances on a plate for others, they then come.
“But you have to do the hard stuff first. The stuff that you probably don’t feel like you’re getting rewarded for first and then the reward comes later. So I’m delighted for Marcus I’m so happy.
Antony was also singled out after the Brazilian scored on debut. He was the 100th Brazilian to play in the league but at just 22, he is now the youngest to score on debut.
“And how can we talk about this without even talking about Antony, the new singing comes in and bangs in. Antony coming in, massive signing. He couldn’t have asked for a better start with a goal.”