Rio Ferdinand urges £160m Man Utd pair to take lessons from Arsenal bargain
Manchester United have an expensive pair of wingers who have claimed just two assists between them this season and Rio Ferdinand has urged them to take more risks.
Jadon Sancho and Antony are two of Manchester United’s most expensive players and cost over £160m in total and yet they have contributed a combined total of 12 goals and just two assists this season.
Arsenal signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton in January for just £27m and he claimed a hat-trick of assists before half-time on Sunday as the Gunners beat Fulham 3-0.
Premier League most chances created: Two Arsenal players in top five
Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “If Antony looks at his season he will sit there and go, “I’m not where I want to be, I’m not doing what I thought I would be by now”.
“Yes he’s popped up with some important goals here and there but I think if he’s honest with himself he will think there needs to be more to come from him.
“We have to be patient as a fan-base with that. Not everyone hits the ground running. I hope he gets the time to prove what he can do.
“There’s one part of Antony and Jadon Sancho’s game that I think needs to improve, and that’s taking more risks.
“You don’t get anything in this game without taking risks. You don’t have success without taking risks, you don’t win trophies without taking risks.
“Alex Ferguson used to say to us all the time that he doesn’t want safe from forwards. That’s what I love about Bruno Fernandes, by the way.
“‘He just needs some weapons in front of him. If he’s got people in front of him making runs and taking risks, he’s a problem for any team.”
Ferdinand then raved about Trossard, saying: “When you talk about wide players not taking risks, this guy takes risk. He gets the ball, he goes forward, he plays one-twos, he dribbles, he takes people on and he can see a pass.
“He is doing everything and more that Arteta would have wanted from him as a new signing. He’s had a massive impact at Arsenal.”
Earlier this week, PSV Eindhoven director of football Marcel Brands claimed “everyone in football knows” that Antony’s move to Man Utd was “a madness”.