Rio Ferdinand says Cristiano Ronaldo is 'different' from any other 36-year-old to ever play the game and can't understand the doubt around his signing for Manchester United.
The Portuguese legend signed a two-year contract with United on deadline day to return to the club after 12 years away and scored twice on his second debut against Newcastle in a 4-1 win at Old Trafford at the weekend.
But Ronaldo and United have come under criticism for the deal from some sections of the media because of his age and how single-minded the Portuguese can be when it comes to scoring goals, with some claiming he's now a pure goal-getter rather than a rounded forward.
Ferdinand admitted he cannot understand the doubts around one of the greatest players of all-time.
"What makes me laugh is people saying he’s different. Of course he’s different, anyone is different after 10 years, 15 years since he’s been at Man United right. People are just spouting the obvious," Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five podcast.
"He’s going to be different, he’s going to be maybe a yard slower than he was before. But he’s actually a yard or two quicker in the mind now, he knows how to move like a number nine in the box.
"His movements to get on the ball, his awareness of space and the movements around him. The anticipation, and that’s the key thing for a number nine. Anticipation for where the ball is going to end up. I don’t care how old you are, if you’ve got that anticipation it sets you apart and he’s got that, more than most if not anybody.
"People are just over-analysing the situation which is understandable because he’s such a big draw, but some of the stuff I was hearing.. and this is off the back of being the top goalscorer in Serie A last year!
"I keep saying it. He outscored Lukaku last season in Serie A, who everyone is saying is a new man, he’s this, and listen Lukaku is the guy but you can’t then say you’re worried about Cristiano Ronaldo just because he’s 36.
"He’s not any old 36-year-old. Get that out of your mind, he’s different. He’s separate. He’s different from any other 36-year-old there’s been and probably ever will be in the game because physically and mentally he’s on a different stratosphere to everyone else."
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