FULLY PACKED FUTURE: Rio Ferdinand names TRIO chasing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland for greatness

FULLY PACKED FUTURE: Rio Ferdinand names TRIO chasing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland for greatness

Rio Ferdinand has named the three footballers trailing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as the best forwards in the world.

The former Manchester United and England defender has named his top five attacking players in the world, with two tiers.

Ferdinand mentioned Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka while praising Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Jr.

On BT Sport, Ferdinand said of Vinicius: “He’s on that next rung [below Mbappe and Haaland], isn’t he?

“I think you’ve got him, Rashford I think talking about it, Saka’s coming up on the rails.

“But this kid, the difference between him and the ones I’ve just mentioned is that he’s done it on this level.

“Champions League in knockout football and won the Champions League, and been a big part of why they’ve won.

“A big part of today’s football is pace – pace kills.

“It scares defenders to death and he’s not only got the pace, he’s got the ability to execute at the top end of the pitch. Brilliant footballer.”

Erling Haaland of Manchester City now has 39 goals from 36 matches this season after scoring five goals against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Rashford is having the best season of his career with United, scoring 26 goals across all competitions as Erik ten Hag’s men win the Carabao Cup.

Vinicius Jr is now a key player under Carlo Ancelotti, having scored 19 goals this season after scoring 22 the previous season.

Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, is in the best shape of his young career, with 10 goals and nine assists in the Premier League as Arsenal chases the title.

FULLY PACKED FUTURE: Rio Ferdinand names TRIO chasing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland for greatness