The Defensive Foundation

Fernandes admitted his reluctance to prioritize defense, begrudgingly selecting a single player to anchor the backline. After debating between Raphael Varane and Pepe, he chose the veteran Portuguese center-back due to their extensive history together. Fernandes shared a humorous anecdote regarding Pepe’s post-retirement fitness, noting he is “tired” of seeing the defender’s relentless cycling marathons on social media, yet credited him for being a vital mentor during his early days with the national squad.

The Midfield Maestros

The midfield consists of two players Fernandes regards as technical masters:

Juan Mata: Fernandes labeled the Spaniard one of the most gifted individuals he has ever shared a pitch with, emphasizing that Mata’s footballing intelligence and character make him a perfect fit for the small-sided game.

Paul Pogba: Despite Pogba’s injury-plagued second stint at Old Trafford, Fernandes described the Frenchman as the most complete midfielder he has encountered. He recalled his days in Serie A, admitting that trying to mark a peak-Juventus Pogba felt like a “child being held at arm’s length” due to the physical and technical mismatch.

The Strike Force

The attacking duo combines global stardom with a “hipster” cult legend:

Cristiano Ronaldo: An automatic inclusion, Ronaldo was hailed by Fernandes as the greatest goalscorer in football history.

Antonio Di Natale: In the biggest surprise of the draft, Fernandes selected the Udinese icon over modern superstars. He praised Di Natale’s extraordinary loyalty and clinical consistency, noting that the Italian remained a top-tier scorer for a club that often struggled near the bottom of the table.

The Final Lineup

Defender: Pepe

Midfield: Juan Mata, Paul Pogba

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Antonio Di Natale

Notably, Fernandes opted to omit a goalkeeper entirely, preferring to load his team with creative and scoring talent based on a blend of personal friendship and pure footballing chemistry.

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Speaking on his eponymous YouTube channel, the former England international addressed the remarkable form of Unai Emery’s side, who have achieved a string of victories that catapulted them into the top three.

When directly asked if Villa should be considered title contenders, Ferdinand was resolute:

“They have to be. Do you not think they are?”

Ferdinand acknowledged that while Villa has the form, Manchester City possesses a distinct edge that could prove decisive. He based this on their history of sustained success, which provides a mental advantage over their rivals.

“My only concern with them if we’re comparing them with Arsenal and Manchester City. “City are the only ones with experience of winning and know how to do it so that puts them at an advantage.”

The title race is incredibly tight as the teams head into the crucial festive fixture period:

Arsenal currently occupies the top spot on the table with 36 points.

Manchester City holds the second position with 34 points, maintaining a two-point gap.

Aston Villa sits in third place, closely trailing City with 33 points.

Ferdinand’s analysis underscores the fact that the experience of winning, which City commands, remains the greatest differentiator between the three teams vying for the 2025/2026 Premier League crown.

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Arsenal are set to kick off their 2025–26 campaign with a challenging away fixture at Old Trafford on Sunday, where they’ll take on a revamped United side in what promises to be a thrilling curtain-raiser.

Ferdinand, speaking on his official YouTube platform, forecasted a 1-1 draw between the two sides. The result would mirror their previous Premier League meeting earlier this year, which also ended in a stalemate.

With both teams expected to debut new strikers in their attacking line-ups, the former centre-back expressed confidence that the match would be tightly contested. Dismissing predictions that Manchester United might fall short, Ferdinand said, “I’m going draw. I’m going to go score draw. 1-1.”

On the other side of the debate, ex-Arsenal forward Theo Walcott offered a contrasting viewpoint during his appearance on the Called Soccer! podcast. Walcott backed his former club to claim all three points, tipping Gabriel Martinelli to find the back of the net and seal a narrow win for the Gunners.

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Frimpong, 24, had been on Manchester United’s radar for several months following his impressive performances for Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. However, the Netherlands international ultimately opted to join United’s Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the ex-England international expressed his disappointment over the missed opportunity.

“Frimpong is going to Liverpool which will hurt me a little bit, I have got to be honest,” Ferdinand said. “I think he would fit the way that Ruben Amorim wants to play perfectly.”

Ferdinand’s comments come just weeks after he publicly urged Manchester United to target Frimpong, along with other players such as Adam Wharton, Victor Osimhen, and Matheus Cunha, as part of their summer rebuild.

Frimpong’s arrival at Anfield adds another layer to the fierce rivalry between United and Liverpool, particularly as both clubs look to strengthen ahead of the new season.

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