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Published February 11, 2025 8:15am Updated February 11, 2025 8:15am
Rio Ferdinand believes a host of Manchester United exiles are flourishing elsewhere now ‘the shackles’ are off.
The likes of Anthony Elanga, Scott McTominay and even mega-flop Antony are enjoying new leases of life following their departures from Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s most expensive signing, branded one of the most disappointing signings in Premier League history, has enjoyed superb start to life on loan at Real Betis, scoring once and registering two assists in his first two games.
McTominay, meanwhile, has played a key role in powering Napoli towards the Serie A title and Elanga has been similarly influential over the course of Nottingham Forest’s stunning campaign that could yet end in Champions League qualification.
Sancho, too, has shown signs of getting his career back on track at Chelsea having been frozen out by Ten Hag as a result of their relationship breaking down at the start of last season.
Marcus Rashford will help a stint at Villa can have a similarly transformative impact on him after he was deemed surplus to requirements by Ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim.
The 27-year-old made his debut as a second half substitute during Sunday’s FA Cup win over Tottenham and immediately appeared to have a spring in his step.
Sancho was clearly delighted to see his old teammate back in action for the first time since December 12 and responded to Rashford’s Instagram post with one-word message that simply read ‘freedom’.
‘You look at Antony, he’s got a man-of-the-match performance and a goal and assist in two games,’ Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents podcast.
‘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.’
Rashford looked sharp during his energic cameo with fellow January recruit Marco Asensio providing some delightful moments, brilliantly combining with Morgan Rogers to terrorise the Tottenham defence.
Andres Garcia and Doyen Malen, two other recent additions, started the game at Villa Park with Villa boss Unai Emery pleased to see the pair immediately adopting his gameplan.
With Villa fighting on three fronts, the Villa boss was pleased to see his recent additions all provide a telling glimpse of what is to come.
‘Andres Garcia and Malen both played in the idea we had,’ Emery said.
‘They were consistent and focused. As well, Marcus Rashford and Asensio, we watched their skill and how they helped us and will help us again in the next months in the different competitions we will face.
‘We are in a new way after the changes we did. We are demanding because we still need to improve due to some tactical issues and how we want to compete in the Premier League.’
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