Ferdinand slams critics: Ronaldo outscored Lukaku last season

Rio Ferdinand

has slammed

Cristiano Ronaldo

’s doubters and insisted that the Portuguese superstar "outscored Romelu Lukaku last season" and stays on a "different stratosphere" to most.

The 36-year-old came back to the Red Devils after more than 12 years and pulled off impressive performances for

so far.

However, many are asking if the five-time Ballon d’Or winner can keep his form and standards at this age, notwithstanding scoring a brace in his second memorable debut against Newcastle United, and Ferdinand is surprised to see critics still exist.

He told his 

Vibe with Five YouTube

channel:

"What makes me laugh is people saying he’s different. Of course he’s different, anyone is different after 10 years, 15 years since he’s been at Man Utd right. People are just spouting the obvious.

"He’s going to be different, he’s going to be maybe a yard slower than he was before. But he’s actually a yard or two quicker in the mind now, he knows how to move like a number nine in the box.

"His movements to get on the ball, his awareness of space and the movements around him. The anticipation, and that’s the key thing for a number nine. Anticipation for where the ball is going to end up. I don’t care how old you are, if you’ve got that anticipation it sets you apart and he’s got that, more than most if not anybody.

"People are just over-analysing the situation which is understandable because he’s such a big draw, but some of the stuff I was hearing... and this is off the back of being the top goalscorer in Serie A last year!

"I keep saying it. He outscored Lukaku last season in Serie A, who everyone is saying is a new man, he’s this, and listen Lukaku is the guy but you can’t then say you’re worried about Cristiano Ronaldo just because he’s 36.

"He’s not any old 36-year-old. Get that out of your mind, he’s different. He’s separate. He’s different from any other 36-year-old there’s been and probably ever will be in the game because physically and mentally he’s on a different stratosphere to everyone else."

The former Real Madrid star, who is men’s international football’s top goalscorer, had found the back of the net 118 times during his first spell at United.

Although some may question his performance at the peak of his powers, the Portuguese talisman has proved that he intends to deliver glories and will not slow down any time soon.

He has already told 

MUTV

:

"I am not here for a vacation. As I told you, before was good, winning important things and I wore the shirt before many years ago, but I am here to win again. 

"I am capable, me and my team-mates. I am ready to go, I am ready to go. It is a good chance for me, for the supporters, for the club, to get one step ahead. 

"I am ready and I think I will be a huge thing in the next three or four years."

United will go against Young Boys in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

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