'Scott McTominay is playing like primetime Jude Bellingham' - Rio Ferdinand explains why players perform well after leaving Man Utd and makes Marcus Rashford prediction following loan to Aston Villa

United parted with academy graduate McTominay in the summer as the midfielder headed to Napoli on a permanent transfer. Since moving to Italy, the Scot has consistently performed for Antonio Conte's side. Similarly, players like Anthony Elanga and Antony have all improved their form immediately after exiting Old Trafford, and according to club legend Ferdinand, Rashford too will regain his long-lost form at Aston Villa, where he moved on loan in the January transfer window.

Speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, Ferdinand said: "You look at Antony, he's got a man-of-the-match performance and a goal and assist in two games. McTominay is playing like primetime Jude Bellingham at the moment. You've got Elanga, who's a flying winger.

"You've got all these players that are leaving the club that are looking like new, dynamic footballers because the shackles are off, and the cloud and the pressure of Old Trafford, the badge, all that that brings, is allowing them to go 'you know what, wow, what a difference that is'."

He added: "You're probably going to see the same from Rashford. It's about unlocking what has unlocked Old Trafford for these players to perform."

Rashford was banished from the first team by Ruben Amorim and had not appeared in a match since the second week of December until he made his debut for the Villans in the FA Cup fourth-round win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. The 27-year-old came on as a 66th-minute substitute as Unai Emery's side led by two goals and went on to win 2-1. The striker later sent a grateful message to the fans for their 'warm welcome'.

McTominay is part of the Napoli side sitting top of Serie A, while Rashford will be hoping to lead Villa's domestic and European charges.