Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has said that new Red Devils full-back Tyrell Malacia 'reminds him' of the club's ex-defender Patrice Evra.
Malacia was handed his first start of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign on Monday evening and played a key role in Man United recording a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The Netherlands international managed to keep Mohamed Salah quiet for long stages despite the attacker scoring for Liverpool in the 81st minute of the contest.
Ferdinand has compared the summer arrival to Evra, who starred at Man United between 2006 and 2014, helping the club win five Premier League titles, three League Cups and the Champions League in the process.
"Malacia today was tremendous, outstanding. He reminds me of Patrice Evra in many ways. He's athletic, he looks like a pound-for-pound strong kid," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with FIVE podcast.
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Malacia was given the nod over Luke Shaw at left-back, with the Englishman struggling in the team's opening two matches of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.
The 23-year-old is now expected to keep his spot in the XI for Saturday's clash with Southampton, and Ferdinand has claimed that Shaw could find it tough to regain his starting role.
"There aren't many left-backs in European or world football in the last four or five years who have gone out of a game and kept Mohamed Salah quiet. Luke Shaw's going to have to do something to get back in this team now," Ferdinand added.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag also decided to drop Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo from his starting side against Liverpool.
Both players have been linked with moves away from Old Trafford in recent weeks, but Maguire is allegedly determined to remain at the club and fight for his future.
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Ronaldo, though, is still said to be keen to leave before the end of the transfer window, with the Portugal international not prepared to spend a season out of the Champions League.
The 37-year-old was only used as a late substitute against Liverpool, and Ten Hag revealed after the match why he had made the decision to name the Portuguese on the bench.
"The demand is for everyone, including the manager, we have to deliver. You have an obligation to the club, to the fans," he told reporters.
"This a massive club with a huge fanbase, and we have to deliver that. We have to act as a team, and every individual, every day, has to give their best. That is the demand for the manager and also for the team.
"I think he (Ronaldo) can [adapt], and in his whole career and under several managers, he did. Several styles and systems. He always performed. Why can't he do this? His age is not an issue. If you are young, you are good enough, and when you are old, you still deliver the performance, you are also good enough."
Man United now have back-to-back away matches against Southampton and Leicester City before welcoming Arsenal to Old Trafford on September 4.
Matt Law
