Softfootball that former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has insisted that no single player defines the current Red Devils under Ruben Amorim, instead pointing to a new “big three”, Matthijs de Ligt, Bryan Mbeumo, and Senne Lammens, as the core of United’s improving form.
Speaking on his podcast show, Rio Ferdinand Presents, uploaded via his official X account, Ferdinand dismissed the idea of one “most important player” in the team.
The former defender then broke it down clearly Starting with Deligt, he praised the Dutchman’s pressing, leadership, and knack for clutch moments, including his dramatic 96th-minute equaliser against Tottenham on November 8. The defender even excitingly admitted that he is just getting started as he nears his prime.
He said:
I don’t think it’s one man, It can’t be down to one man.
I think De Ligt has been our best defender this season. He’s even adding goals, the equaliser last-minute goal the other day, but I think in terms of his press he’s assertive and willingness to go into foreign areas up the pitch as well at the right times have been good. But clearing out of his box has been brilliant.
Ferdinand also showered praise on Bryan Mbeumo, United’s £70 million summer signing from Brentford, who already has six goal contributions in 11 games. And then there’s Senne Lammens, the 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper who replaced André Onana and, according to Ferdinand, transformed the team’s confidence.
He claimed:
And Mbeumo has been a joke as well. I think he’s really kind of stepped in there and become a real mainstay. Someone that can give us two or three seconds on the ball, relieve pressure for us, scoring important goals, creating chances. I think by the end of this season he’ll be in that frame to be one of the most complete wingers in the league because I think you can do everything.
And the goalkeeper, there is no coincidence our up-turn in form. We’ve got a goalkeeper it seems like all players trust. When he was on the bench for so long, what they’ve seen in training that we haven’t. But I have to be honest with you, really assertive.
Under Amorim, United have gone five games unbeaten, climbing to seventh in the Premier League. And while Ferdinand believes star names still matter, his verdict is clear: the new Manchester United is built on collective energy, not individual egos.
