Sancho and Antony of Manchester United are criticized by Ferdinand for not “killing” full-backs and advised to imitate Arsenal star Saka in this regard ~ Football vows

Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United great, criticized Jadon Sancho and Antony for not being able to “destroy full-backs”

In Sunday’s scoreless draw with Newcastle, the Red Devils had trouble producing.

The wing positions were filled by Sancho and Antony, but for the majority of the game, there was little service going to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ferdinand believes the two may pick up some tips from Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka, who he believes the pair could emulate.

We don’t seem to have the inventiveness in such areas, he stated in a video posted on his YouTube channel FIVE.

“When they are wide, we used to pass it to Cristiano [Ronaldo], Antonio Valencia, Giggsy [Ryan Giggs], Becks [David Beckham], Nani, and Giggsy.

“Get him into a one-on-one match by either using a good ball from [Paul] Scholes, [Michael] Carrick, etc., get them one-versus-one, and then do your thing.

“Unfortunately for us, when we find ourselves in those situations, our wide players tend to turn away from the situation rather than skin or kill the full-backs.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 16: Antony of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on October 16, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tom Purslow/Manchester United via Getty Images)

“The top teams, the winners, wait until the game is one-on-one before getting teams together. One-on-one opportunities to use that full-back might only come up twice or three times during a game.

“Saka now leads the league in doing it well. When they face the full-back one-on-one, they say, “Okay, I’m going to ghost you.” Our wide players aren’t currently accomplishing that.”

In four Premier League games, Antony has scored three goals, but no assists have been recorded.

In the 2022–23 season, Sancho has assisted on just one goal and helped to two league goals.

Ferdinand went on: “Other than the City game [a 6-3 loss], many aspects of their game are effective. They are performing well defensively.

“But right now, when we have the ball and need them to put the finishing touches on it, we’re not getting it.

It’s sometimes necessary to create that space because once you do, players like Marcus Rashford and Cristiano may suddenly come alive and score goals, or Bruno [Fernandes] might enter the game late.

Saka, who has now registered four goals and four assists in the Premier League this season, was lauded by Ferdinand.

The Arsenal player, in his opinion, is now England’s best choice to play on the right side of a front three at the World Cup.

In this configuration, Saka on the right wing spot is unavoidable, he stated. “In my opinion, he plays admirably when wearing an England jersey.

He’s a winger whose first thought and intention, when he gets the chance—I’ve seen him play live a few times this year—is to get past you.

“Nani informed us that was his objective in our conversation. He immediately set out to defeat the full-back once he had the ball one-on-one.

I adore how fearless he is and how every time I see him, he plays with a little more maturity.

He is playing for a team that is having a terrific run of play. He is assured, and if he enters the World Cup with that frame of mind, nobody should start ahead of him.