Rio Ferdinand has defended Manchester United captain Harry Maguire amid recent criticism as he likened the defender to his former team-mate Gerard Pique.
Maguire has faced heavy criticism for his below-par displays at Old Trafford this term. He has made a number of high-profile mistakes in what has been a tumultuous season as part of a defence that has conceded 42 goals in 31 Premier League games.
However, the 29-year-old has been a stalwart of Gareth Southgate's England squad, impressing throughout the Three Lions' run to the Euro 2020 final last summer.
Ferdinand believes Maguire has more success at international level because he suits England's style of play better - where he is often deployed on the left side on a back three.
The former Red Devil drew comparisons to Pique's struggles under Sir Alex Ferguson before thriving at the Nou Camp in Barcelona's ball-playing backline.
‘In an England shirt he’s been nothing but phenomenal. He’s been unreal. You can’t say he’s a dead player, he’s been unbelievable for England,’ said Ferdinand on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show.
‘What I’m saying is, for England he’s been great, but they play a particular way of football that probably suits him.
‘Gerard Pique was at Man United, you could argue that he might not have had the career that he’s had at Barcelona if he stayed at Man United because of the way he plays.
‘It’s like boxing, styles make fights – it’s the same in football. The way of Man United’s football, and the way that they are trying to play, hasn’t suited him.
‘But also form and confidence. His confidence has taken a big knock and I don’t care who you are, you could be Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane, Mbappe all these players – if their confidence is low they are not the same player.’
Ferdinand's comments were softer than his usual stance as he has previously criticised the England international.
Following their derby defeat to Manchester City, Ferdinand insisted every United player on the pitch - aside from David de Gea - let themselves down as they slumped at the Etihad and dented their chances of securing a top-four Premier League finish.
The former defender revealed he has received calls from players' agents asking him to tone down his criticism of their clients' poor form.
'The amount of phone calls I get from agents, "oh, can you not say this, why are you criticising so and so", do me a favour,' he said.
'If I was being vindictive and personal and saying bad things personally about these people I'd get it, I'd take the call and say sorry.
'But I ain't saying sorry for stating facts. I ain't saying sorry for tactically looking at the way people are playing and highlighting situations where you think you could do better there.'