Rio Ferdinand believes Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have the makings of the rock solid central defensive partnership Manchester United have lacked ever since his and Nemanja Vidic’s departures.
The former England skipper and his long-term sidekick Vidic formed the bedrock of several great United sides under Sir Alex Ferguson, but all of the Scots successors have failed to find a combination worthy of succeeding that decorated duo.
United coasted to a 2-0 win over Leicester at Old Trafford on Saturday to extend their 100% start to the new season, without conceding a goal, but Ferdinand believes both men must prove they can last the course and distance before earning too many plaudits.
‘They’ve not had a consistent partnership, a two in there playing at the back for a few years,’ he told BT Sport.
‘They need players that are there week in week out and you need to understand how the other one plays. You need to learn about your partner.
