Rio Ferdinand admits Man Utd player signed by Erik ten Hag has 'proved him wrong'

Rio Ferdinand has admitted he was wrong about one signing made by Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.

Since Ten Hag took charge at Old Trafford in 2022, United have signed a handful of players, and they haven't always turned out to be resounding successes.

Mason Mount, Antony, Wout Weghorst and Sofyan Amrabat are just a few of the names that have failed to live up to the lofty expectations of the United fanbase since arriving.

However, they haven't all be disappointing. Some players - like Rasmus Hojlund - have won the hearts of the fanbase and proven many doubters wrong in the early stages of their Red Devils career.

One of which is veteran defender Jonny Evans - who re-signed for the club as a free agent at the start of the season after leaving Leicester City.

Former United defender Ferdinand, who wasn't a fan of Evans' arrival at the club when it was first announced, has since admitted he was wrong about his former teammate.

"He’s been arguably our best defender this year and that says a lot," Ferdinand told Cool FM News.

"When he first signed, and even though he’s my mate and I played with him, I was like: 'Flippin’ hell, how are we signing Jonny at this time?! Are we going backwards?'

Jonny Evans in action against Burnley. Image: Getty

"But he’s come in and when he has been asked to do a job, he’s done it really, really well.

"I was with him the other day at the training ground and he has surprised himself in terms of the amount of game-time he’s had, but then you’ve got to go out there and produce and play.

"That’s testament to him as a professional footballer as well because you’ve got to prepare yourself and you’ve got to be ready for those moments, and he has been, so good luck to him."

Evans has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season, including 18 in the Premier League.

The Northern Ireland international started his professional career at United back in 2006 and spent nine years at the club before joining West Bromwich Albion in 2015.

During his first stint in red, he also spent time away on loan at both Royal Antwerp and Sunderland.