Rio Ferdinand has told Anthony Joshua about the messages he has received from Cristiano Ronaldo that show his dedication.
The Portuguese ace has returned to English football and was topic of conversation for Ferdinand and Joshua when they met ahead of the boxer's heavyweight title defence against Oleksandr Usyk.
That fight is due to take place in north London and is widely seen as the final hurdle before a unification bout with Wythenshawe fighter Tyson Fury next year.
Boxing wasn't on the agenda when the pair met though, with the topic of conversation instead being dominated by Ronaldo as Ferdinand shared the messages he had received from United's number 7.
“Cristiano is a disruptor. Disruptors in the right way make waves, they’re remembered and they’re not forgotten," he told Joshua when they met as part of a William Hill interview.
“When I listen to you (Joshua) speak, there are very big similarities to when I speak to Cristiano, like when we’re on a Zoom he will have objects in the background and says ‘that’s for the energy in the room’.
“This guy is just different, he looks for every little detail that’ll give him the edge. He does mad stuff, he sent me a picture recently after driving two hours to do deep water recovery sessions in the sea when he was in Turin. Other people are at home just having dinner, Cristiano is looking for that extra edge.”
Ronaldo has made an instant impression since his return to United, scoring three goals in two Premier League appearances and once in a single Champions League appearance.
His goals have helped keep United in the hunt at the top of the league in the early stages of the season, tied on 13 points alongside Liverpool and Chelsea.
United face Aston Villa next in the Premier League, then clashing with Villarreal in the Champions League - seeking revenge for their defeat in last season's Europa League final.
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