Rio Ferdinand names Ballon d’Or winner as ‘one of top two or three quickest players’ he played against

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Rio Ferdinand has revealed a Ballon d’Or-winning former teammate was “one of the top two” quickest players that he played against in his legendary Manchester United career.

The former United centre-back is regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history and enjoyed incredible success during his time at Old Trafford.

A complete Rolls-Royce defender, Ferdinand excelled in the United backline thanks to his phenomenal quick-thinking instincts, work rate, precision tackling and pace.

Ferdinand, who revealed the best finisher he played alongside at United, also forged one of the Premier League’s best centre-back partnerships with Nemanja Vidic.

Before his departure from Old Trafford in 2014, the TNT Sports pundit lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League and two League Cups with United.

READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand spotlights underrated ‘pound-for-pound’ trait Man United cult hero possessed

Ferdinand in awe at Michael Owen’s brilliance

Ferdinand played alongside Michael Owen for both England and United, with the Red Devils legend delivering a passionate defence for the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 44-year-old ex-England defender named a young Owen as one of the quickest players that he crossed paths with on the pitch.

The other player that Ferdinand picked out was none other than former Arsenal and Chelsea star Nicolas Anelka, who was “like a madness” to play against.

“I reckon he’s one of the top two or three quickest players I’ve ever played against,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.

“Now if you see him at the end of his career, you wouldn’t say that. Only Nicolas Anelka, I would say, is probably quicker.

“When they were both 18, 19, Nicolas Anelka was like a madness. He beat me to a ball once, I couldn’t believe it, and I was quick.

“Michael Owen was the same. I used to be on the halfway line. I’ll never forget. There are only a few players who have done this.

“I was on the halfway line at Anfield [in a] one [vs] one with Michael Owen. I was thinking, ‘Wow, where’s my teammates?’ Because he was that quick.”

Owen does deserve a lot more respect

It’s not hard to see why Sir Alex Ferguson decided to take a punt on Owen in 2009, with the former Liverpool striker arriving at the time on a shock free transfer.

Despite being plagued with injuries in his career, that still didn’t take away from Owen being a superbly talented player coupled with a devastating finishing ability.

Owen’s time was short at United, sure, but it didn’t come without the former England international making his mark at the Red Devils when he had the chance.

The ex-United player came off the bench and scored a sensational stoppage-time winner against Manchester City in a 4-3 derby win at Old Trafford in 2009.

For Owen as well, the former Real Madrid and Liverpool star was able to secure a Premier League title and a League Cup trophy during his spell with United.