Rio Ferdinand believes he and other senior Manchester United players can help David Moyes become a better manager as the new boss begins his first season as Alex Ferguson's successor.
United returned home yesterday after the club’s three-week pre-season tour which took in games in Bangkok, Sydney, Tokyo, Osaka and Hong Kong, two of which were won, two lost and one drawn.
But after only a month with his new squad, Moyes, according to Ferdinand, can draw on the experience of the players around him.
“I just look at it as if I was taking the job on,” said Ferdinand.
“Would you lean on players who have been here for many years, for their experience and ask questions and to better yourself? Of course you would. You’d do the same in any job, so you expect that.”
Ferdinand identified himself, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick as players who could make a valuable contribution.
“I think the manager is fortunate he’s got someone like Giggsy, among others, like myself and Carra, who have been here for many years and know the fabric of the club.
'More trophies'
"If there's anything we can pass on, with our experiences, to help him to become a better manager and to help us win more trophies, then that's fantastic."
Moyes has been in the job for only three weeks and has yet to manage a competitive match, and Ferdinand thinks it is premature to compare the styles of Moyes and Ferguson.
“I think it’s still too early to talk about stuff like that between the two of them,” he added. “The manager before was a one-off, there won’t be anyone like him ever again and you can’t expect anyone to fill his boots exactly the same way.”
Jesse Lingard was among United's best performers on tour, finishing as top scorer with four goals. And Ferdinand said the winger was one of the younger players who could establish himself in the squad this season.
Younger players
"He couldn't have done any more to put himself in the shop window in terms of the manager," said Ferdinand.
The centreback has also been heartened by the displays of the other young players, Wilfried Zaha, Adnan Januzaj and Michael Keane.
“The best part of the tour has been seeing the young lads come through,” he said.
“Fitness is the most important thing but the young lads have come through and shown they have the right qualities.
“Zaha came with a big price tag for a young player but he’s got a great personality. He’s fitted in straight away as a lad and you can see he has the potential to become a really good player and this is the best place to do that.”
Despite Moyes not yet having made a major signing, Ferdinand is bullish about United’s prospects of retaining the championship.
“We’re confident. If we had to go into the new season with the players we’ve got now, I’d be more than confident of doing well and winning trophies but if the manager can add to that and chooses to add to that, then great.”
Guarian Service