Olaleye Idowu
Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has explained why several players seem to perform much better after leaving the Premier League.
Scott McTominay (Napoli) and Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) have looked reborn away from the pressures of Old Trafford.
McTominay has six goals and four assists to his name as Napoli top the Serie A table.
Elanga has impressed for Forest this term, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side strongly push for a place in the top four.
Even Antony, who was out of sorts at United, has registered a goal and an assist at Real Betis, winning 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.
Speaking on the Rio Presents podcast, 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.
“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.”
