‘If I’m totally honest, no’… Rio Ferdinand admits he did not expect Manchester United star to be this good

Manchester United have one of the most exciting young players in world football right now.

Manchester United fans were thrilled to see Amad sign a new contract to 2030, committing his future to the club.

Days later Amad scored his first ever Manchester United hat-trick, becoming the first player to do so for the club since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2022.

The versatile 22-year-old has shown ability to play in attack and even at wing-back, and right now he would probably be United’s most effective centre-forward too.

Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand on Amad

Speaking during the pre-game coverage for Manchester United’s encounter with Rangers in the Europa League, former star Rio Ferdinand was asked about the Red Devils sensation.

Ferdinand was asked directly if he expected Amad to be this good this season.

He told TNT Sports: “If I’m totally honest, no.”

Explaining his thoughts, Ferdinand referred back to Amad’s lack of usage in 2023/24 under Erik ten Hag.

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He explained: “He went out on loan, went to Sunderland, done very, very well. We speak to the people there. They loved him.

“He came back and still wasn’t really an integral part or a real piece in the jigsaw.”

Amad missed the first part of last season through injury, but Erik ten Hag was reluctant to use him when fit, preferring Omari Forson.

Amad did come good during the last three games of the league season, but was not involved in the FA Cup Final.

He was United’s best player in pre-season, so the signs were there that Amad was primed for a breakthrough campaign.

To be fair to Ferdinand, Ten Hag was then reluctant to commit to him in 2024/25, leaving him on the bench for home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham.

Ten Hag then chose to start Noussair Mazraoui ahead of him in attacking midfield against Fenerbahce, a decision that looks even more baffling now than it did then.

The winger then shone under Ruud van Nistelrooy, before carrying on under new boss Ruben Amorim.

Best parts of Amad’s game

Speaking about Amad’s strengths, Ferdinand praised his mental attributes in addition to his technique.

He explained: “What I do like about Amad,, he showed a character, a perseverance, a desire, a determination, adding to the skills.

“Don’t forget, this kid was dubbed the wonder boy, a wonderkid from Atalanta, and he’s showing now what he what he’s made of. And then that spirit and that determination.”

Pointing to highlight clips, he added: “A lot of these moments you’re seeing is not just about skills. It’s the actual endeavor, the determination to make a transition, make a turnover, and then the quality comes out in the class that just comes into play. I love the freedom of him.

“He loves getting on the ball. He loves running him behind. His enthusiasm for just the game in general.”

“Any opportunity to go one on one and go direct to the full-back, he does it, nine times out of ten, and that’s one of the refreshing things about him too.”

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