'AWB is stronger at defensive end' - Ferdinand compares TAA & Wan-Bissaka

  /  autty

Rio Ferdinand insists a hybrid of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be the 'ultimate machine' at right back while claiming the latter is much better defensively than his Liverpool counterpart.

Wan-Bissaka has starred at Manchester United since his £50million move from Crystal Palace in the summer while Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to go from strength-to-strength for Premier League champions-elect Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as England's best right back with a huge future ahead of him in the international team but Ferdinand believes Wan-Bissaka can fight the Liverpool star all the way for a spot in Gareth Southgate's starting line-up.

'If you moulded them two players together, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold, you've got the best player,' Ferdinand said during an Instagram Q&A.

'Aaron Wan-Bissaka one-versus-one, I've seen [Raheem] Sterling play against him and Sterling rinses everybody, he finds it hard against Wan-Bissaka.

'One-versus-one he will match you physically, he will run with you, he will slide on the floor if you're getting away from him a little bit more and he has to go into overdrive.

'He can cover people, unbelievable. He could play right side of a back three at Man United if they wanted to, I think he'd be brilliant there.'

Wan-Bissaka is still waiting to force his way into Southgate's England plans, with Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier still ahead of him in the pecking order.

But he has become instrumental for United already and Ferdinand - who won six Premier League titles, one Champions League and two League Cups for the club - believes his defensive qualities make him stand apart from the rest.

'On the ball nowhere near as good as Trent, but Trent defensively one-on-one isn't anywhere near as good as Wan-Bissaka, so if you had both of them you've got the ultimate machine,' Ferdinand added.

'It depends on the game, If I knew I was going to have to defend a lot and I need someone to lock down the winger I'm bringing AWB on.'

Related: Manchester United Liverpool Rio Ferdinand Alexander-Arnold Wan-Bissaka
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