Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that two players have transformed the Reds under new boss Erik ten Hag.
United endured a nightmare start to the season, suffering defeats to Brighton and Brentford in their opening two matches of the campaign. However, Ten Hag's men have looked much more solid in the past two months and have now won six of their opening 11 Premier League matches.
The Reds secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, before scoring late to draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
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While Casemiro's header deep into stoppage side sparked wild celebrations, there was certainly a negative feeling after the game given that centre-back Raphael Varane was forced off in the second half with an injury. The Frenchman, who left the pitch in tears, is now facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup next month.
Varane is expected to be sidelined until the start of the tournament and is unlikely to play for the Reds until December. Former defender Ferdinand has insisted that his absence will be a "huge loss".
The France star had formed a solid partnership at the heart of the defence with Lisandro Martinez, and Ferdinand believes Ten Hag's men have been a "different team" with the pair in the side.
"It seems to me that it isn’t going to be Harry Maguire who comes in now," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel. "It looks like it’s going to be [Victor] Lindelof.
"Lindelof is decent, I think he will come in and do a job, it just depends how long he’s being asked to do that job. Martinez has been top this season but Varane gives us that something different, that speed, that experience and physicality. I think he could be a huge loss.
"You need them two [Varane and Martinez] back together. We’ve seen straight away that those two together make us a different team, it’s as simple as that."
The Reds fell behind in the 87th minute on Saturday, with Jorginho calmly converting from the spot after the home side were awarded a penalty late in the game. However, United responded well and levelled proceedings in added time as Casemiro somehow guided a header past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the dying seconds to earn a point.
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