Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on Antony, Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford after the victory over Arsenal.
Erik ten Hag recorded his fourth successive Premier League victory at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as United won 3-1 to end the Gunners' perfect start to the season. A debut goal from Antony followed by two second-half goals from Marcus Rashford was enough to secure all three points for the Dutchman's side.
The Reds showed a level of maturity under Ten Hag as they absorbed large amounts of pressure during the game. United waited for their moments to counter, and thanks to some aggressive forward passing from the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Eriksen, they stunned Arsenal twice in the space of nine minutes to put the game to bed.
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After the game, Ferdinand revealed that he was initially sceptical about the signing of Eriksen this summer. Speaking to his YouTube channel, the former United man made the admission as he praised the 30-year-old's performance.
He said: "Can I just give a special, special shout out please - to my man of the match Christian Eriksen.
"I have to hold my hand up, I was one of them who was a bit sceptical about the signing. But it's another signing, I'm sure from Erik ten Hag, it was his decision to take him. And at the moment, you cannot argue with this decision that he's made.
"His passing, listen he may not have assisted every one of the goals, but his passing for two of the goals. Rashford's pass, the first one when he wrapped it with the eyes, took out about five players of the Arsenal team - great ball.
"The other one where he plays it forward into Bruno. Bruno then outside of the foot puts it in for Rashford. And obviously the assist. His forward passing is up there at the best in the league at the moment, he is tremendous. So Eriksen, I salute you."
Ferdinand also praised Rashford's performance as he gave his views on exactly why the United forward played so well.
He added: "Marcus Rashford today, an assist and two goals, and Marcus Rashford who is still searching for the supreme confidence that he came under the spotlight with.
"I think the catalyst for that [his performance], is that he's gone back to basics. And that's what we've been asking for. He's gone back to basics. He runs around chasing balls into the goalkeeper lost causes and things like that remind me and take me back to a little bit to Carlos Tevez.
"He was like a player who got the fans off their seat for things like that. Got the crowd going, generated an atmosphere, made the other players on the team think, 'right, we've got to go as well.' And if he can keep that in his game, the other elements that he has: the quality the ability to run behind teams and scare teams, and then finish or put chances on a plate for others, they then come.
"But you have to do the hard stuff first. The stuff that you probably don't feel like you're getting rewarded for first and then the reward comes later. So I'm delighted for Marcus I'm so happy. And how can we talk about this without even talking about Antony, the new singing comes in and bangs in. Antony coming in, massive signing. He couldn't have asked for a better start with a goal."
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