Rio Ferdinand lists the three key players for Manchester United this season, including the "joke" signing - 2025

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Rio Ferdinand is a huge fan of Bryan Mbeumo

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has named United’s three most impressive players so far this season.

Mbeumo gets the most praise after his flying start since joining from Brentford for £71 million in the summer.

When asked to name United’s most important player right now on his YouTube podcast, Ferdinand named Mbeumo among two other players, calling the Cameroon international a ‘joke’.

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Mbeumo has been a joke,” Ferdinand said. “He’s really stepped in there and become a mainstay.

“He’s someone who can give you two or three seconds on the ball to relieve pressure. He can score important goals and create chances.

“I saw Thomas Frank’s comments about him the other day and Mbeumo nearly being a complete winger.

“I think by the end of this season, he’ll be one of the most complete wingers in the Premier League because he can do everything. He just needs to consistently do it in a United shirt.”

Ferdinand also singled out De Ligt and Senne Lammens for praise as United’s other two most important players this term.

“I don’t think it’s one man,’ Ferdinand added. ‘It can’t be down to one man. I think Matthijs de Ligt has been our best defender this season, he’s been outstanding for us.

“He’s even adding goals – with the last-minute one the other day [against Tottenham].

“His pressing, his assertiveness and his willingness to go into foreign areas up the pitch to defend at the right times has been good. Clearing out of the box, he has been brilliant