Rio Ferdinand has boldly claimed that three Manchester United stars could be the difference makers in the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.
Manchester United return to Wembley on Saturday for their final match of the season, with kick-off for the FA Cup final slated for 3pm UK time.
Erik ten Hag reached his second consecutive FA Cup final as United boss after the Red Devils secured a penalty shootout win over Coventry City in the semi-finals.
The 54-year-old Dutchman will be hopeful United can defy the odds and avenge last season’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Erik ten Hag has endured a tough second season at Old Trafford, with United finishing eighth in the Premier League table.
The Red Devils will be without Champions League football for next season, while Ten Hag’s long-term future at Old Trafford remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Despite United’s turbulent season under Ten Hag, the Red Devils returned to winning ways before the end of their Premier League campaign.
United secured a 3-2 win over Newcastle in the final match at Old Trafford this season before picking up a 2-0 win over Brighton away from home.
Ferdinand talks Man City vs Man Utd
Manchester City secured a fourth consecutive Premier League title this season after finishing two points clear of Arsenal in the title race.
Pep Guardiola’s men are considered the overwhelming favourites going into the FA Cup final against Manchester United on Saturday.
The current FA Cup holders punched their ticket to the final after beating Premier League side Chelsea 1-0 in the semi-finals at Wembley last month.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, the United legend previewed the FA Cup final and admitted that he had “no confidence” in the Red Devils picking up a win.
Rio Ferdinand added that it was the “first time” he felt going into a cup final where United have a “very small” chance of laying their hands on the trophy.
“Based on what I’ve seen this season from both sides, Manchester City and Manchester United, I’ve got no confidence, I have to say,” he said.
“It’s the first time I’m going to a cup final with Man United and thinking that we have a very, very, very, very small chance of winning this game.
“You always backed Man United, ‘It’s the cup final, Man United are gonna win this,’ or, ‘Man United have got a real good chance to win it.’”
Ferdinand singles out three Man Utd stars
Despite his pessimistic prediction for United, Ferdinand has not lost all hope that the Red Devils could defy the odds against City.
The 45-year-old former United and England defender admitted that United have a “puncher’s chance” of beating City.
Ferdinand believes it would only take an “explosive moment” from the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho to make the difference.
“You have a puncher’s chance because we’ve got someone like Bruno [Fernandes] maybe or Marcus [Rashford] or [Alejandro] Garnacho who can have a moment, an explosive moment,” he added.
“Remember Marcus’ goal against them earlier in the season? There are people that can do that but can we keep City out for the rest of the game? You’ll sitting there on tenterhooks, I’d be losing hair for the 90 minutes, the beard going even greyer.
“But you have hope, we’re football fans. You sit there and we have hope, man. Hope, craziness almost… borderline nuts! But you do have hope as a football fan and that’s how we live.
“But it’s going to be an absolute crazy effort and [a] huge amount of luck and fortune, I think, for us to get anything out of this game.”