‘Can see why’ - Rio Ferdinand reveals what Erik ten Hag immediately thought of Man Utd fringe star

Rio Ferdinand has been speaking about some of Manchester United’s fringe players now that the transfer window has closed. The Red Devils spent more than £200million to strengthen their squad over the summer, but they have been left in a sticky Financial Fair Play decision ahead of January due to a lack of exits.

The likes of Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial were all tipped to be sold, but none of them left the club before the recent deadline. Erik ten Hag will now likely use those players, especially given the lack of depth that has been exposed over the last week or so.

In the case of Martial, the Frenchman has had a strange spell at United, dazzling in moments here and there but often struggling to maintain any kind of consistency.

Speaking about Martial, former United star Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast: “I know for a fact that when Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff went in there and saw Martial up close and personal, they were like ‘we can see why every manager rates him. Because his ability is world class but he can’t put it together.

“Anthony Martial is so talented but he has to deliver consistently, that is what Man Utd No 9s do. They don’t have days off. That is his problem, whether it is fitness or form, he falls off. It is so disappointing frustrating because he has crazy ability.”

Ferdinand continued by dragging Harry Maguire into the conversation, adding: “There are players allowed to stay at the club a long way past their sell-by date and that is due to the numbers they come in on. Harry Maguire isn’t leaving because he is on such high wages that they can’t get rid of him and Martial would be similar.

“They are on big money, out-of-form, not playing so they don’t warrant the money they came in on. They aren’t taking a pay-cut and I don’t blame them, I blame the club.”