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‘He just doesn’t beat ANYONE’: Rio Ferdinand insists £86m Man United winger Antony lacks the ‘power’ to beat a man after struggling in loss at Arsenal, claims Bukayo Saka ‘scared’ Luke Shaw
Rio Ferdinand criticized winger Antony for his performance in Manchester United’s loss to Arsenal on Sunday, saying he “can’t beat anybody” with the ball.
The 22-year-old was once again largely ineffective for his new team and was substituted in the second half after failing to make an impact on the game.
Fernando, speaking for his FIVE spectacle, criticized the Brazilian, suggesting he is not showing anything close to the form he produced at Ajax, which convinced United to spend £86m on him.
Rio Ferdinand criticized Manchester United winger Antony for his performance against Arsenal
Ferdinand was speaking on his FIVE show, after his old team lost 3-2 at the Emirates.
“He just doesn’t hit anybody and I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Was he always like this?'” Ferdinand said.
“I have seen videos of him when he was at Ajax and he was someone who used to beat people up.
“I saw Thomas Partey, who I would never stop being a sprinter, pass him and I thought, ‘Wow, he (Antony) doesn’t have much leg power!’
“He’s a tough winger, but with tough wingers you want them to still be able to beat the defender.”
Ferdinand also suggested that Luke Shaw (left) was ‘scared’ of Sake Bukayo (right) during the game.
Saka scored Arsenal’s second goal and was in fine form for Arsenal against the Red Devils
Ferdinand then suggested that United defender Luke Shaw was “scared” of Bukayo Saka at the Emirates.
Saka scored Arsenal’s second to put his team ahead at the Emirates, and he gave his England colleague a difficult time that day with his impressive dribbling and direct run.
The former United defender suggested that Saka had Shaw’s ‘number’ that day, calling the winger his young player of the year thus far.
Saka made life difficult for England teammate Shaw throughout the afternoon in the capital
“I think Saka, my young player of the year, had Shaw scared,” he said. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen Shaw say, ‘Oh, this guy has my number.’
“He gave him too much space most of the time, allowed him to run and get in the box before going against him because he didn’t want to be beaten.
‘He thought if he tried to face it, it would just change him. But Shaw has been great for United up to this point.
Although they scored twice in the match, United manager Erik ten Hag chided his team’s defense, saying they have to “change their mindset” if they want to win trophies.