Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United have added sufficient high quality this summer season to drive themselves again right into a title race.
Erik ten Hag known as for brand new signings early in the summertime and was shortly handed each Mason Mount and Andre Onana, whereas Rasmus Hojlund has accomplished a £72m transfer to Old Trafford to take up a place on the high of United’s assault.
Seeing these signings come off so early actually made an impression on Ferdinand.
“We haven’t created a transfer saga,” TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand informed 90min. “I’ve been really pleased with the delivery of the players. The players that they’ve wanted, they’ve gone out and got immediately, haven’t dragged on for too long.
“It looks as if the targets the supervisor has needed, the membership has executed on these. It’s all optimistic.”
Of Man Utd’s new faces, perhaps none will have a more significant impact than Onana. The goalkeeper, a £47.2m signing from Inter, has joined to replace David de Gea, whose 12-year stay at Old Trafford came to an end this summer.
Ten Hag was keen to find a goalkeeper who is more comfortable with the ball at his feet and has opted for a reunion with Onana, who rose to prominence as part of his famous Ajax side, and Ferdinand believes he could be the key to Ten Hag’s new system.
“I feel he’ll make an enormous distinction,” the former centre-back explained. “I feel he is acquired to go and show he can be a fantastic alternative for David de Gea, however by way of the fashion, the best way the supervisor desires to play soccer, I feel he’ll be enormous for that as a result of among the best belongings in his recreation is his toes and his taking part in potential.
“He’s so connected to the outfield players. He’s going to be great for a new style of football.”
However, it is not simply new signings who’ve made an impression this summer season. Teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo made essentially the most of his early return to pre-season to earn some early minutes in friendlies in opposition to Leeds United and Lyon, standing out from the gang with every spectacular efficiency.
Ten Hag saved the 18-year-old together with his senior squad regardless of sending a gaggle of academy gamers for a pleasant in opposition to Wrexham, as a substitute opting to start out Mainoo in opposition to Real Madrid.
It’s a choice which, whereas proving Ten Hag’s religion within the teenager, in the end resulted in catastrophe as Mainoo picked up an harm which can delay his begin to the 2023/24 marketing campaign. Nevertheless, Ferdinand is ready eagerly for his return.
“I don’t think he’s one of the young players they’re going to let out on loan,” he continued. “I think his introduction to the first-team squad in training, then in games, has been so impressive that I think the club will refuse to let him go and I think he’ll gain more from being around the squad, whether it’s just training or being involved in matchdays. I’m really excited about him.”
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With all that in thoughts, Ferdinand expects additional enhancements from Man Utd throughout what might be an enthralling marketing campaign.
“I think we’ll finish second,” he predicts. “I feel it will not be simple.
“I feel we’ll enhance once more on consistency. I feel the fashion of play will evolve much more. I feel people enhance. I’m anticipating a greater season from [Jadon] Sancho, consistency all through from [Marcus] Rashford, extra objectives, a quantity 9 with objectives hopefully.
“And you’ve got behind that the Casemiro’s of this world, Bruno Fernandes with more experience and the responsibility of being the captain of the team. A new goalkeeper with different traits to the previous one. I’m excited for Man Utd. As a fan, you sit with your fingers crossed saying ‘please don’t go wrong’.”
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