"He's a bit like Nani" - Rio Ferdinand recalls advice from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on how to stop Liverpool rival Luis Suarez

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson's advice on how to stop former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan currently plays for Inter Miami FC but has previously played for Barcelona after spending three years with Liverpool.

Ferdinand and Suarez locked horns five times with their respective former clubs. The 37-year-old is widely regarded as one of the finest strikers to have played in the Premier League. However, he had a sedate start to his stint on English shores.

After joining the Reds in 2011, the Uruguayan failed to hit the ground running and managed 15 league goals in a season and a half. He, however, netted 54 goals in his last two seasons at the club, becoming one of Liverpool's most lethal strikers.

Liverpool's rivalry with Manchester United is much talked about and even Sir Alex Ferguson was aware of the danger Suarez posed whenever the two teams met. While speaking on 'FIVE', Ferdinand revealed the advice the former United manager gave him on how to get the better of the 37-year-old striker.

Here's what he said:

"I remember Luis Suarez was in crazy form when he was at Liverpool, one of the best strikers on the planet at the time, so obviously that was a detail we needed to address. And he just said to me, when you get him he gets you one v one because that's what he's good at, getting an isolated defender somewhere, you'll get that at some point. Do not nibble.

"Do not go in and try and nibble the ball, make him have to beat you. So wait, delay, say come on now you make a decision. And more times than not he got the ball and turned out and played to someone."

He added:

"Whereas if I went to nibble - he's a bit like Nani, they were reactive dribblers - he'd react to you nibbling to then go on your weakness from there and he was brilliant and the ricochets he would get. He was brilliant."

Ferdinand started four matches for Manchester United when Suarez played for Liverpool. The Uruguayan managed just one goal in the four matches and failed to overcome the Red Devils on all four occasions. Liverpool drew one and lost three of four matches.

Suarez's stint with the Reds was rather short-lived. He arrived in 2011 and departed for Barcelona in 2014.

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How have Manchester United and Liverpool fared after the first three Premier League games?

Manchester United have had a turbulent start to the current season, much like how the last season transpired. After beating Fulham 1-0 in their first game of the season, the Red Devils have lost consecutive games on the trot.

They went down to Brighton & Hove Albion, losing 1-2 before their 0-3 mauling at the hands of the Reds at Old Trafford just before the international break. As a result, United sit in the 14th spot on the Premier League table.

On the flip side, Arne Slot has had a tremendous start to his campaign as the new Reds' manager. The Reds occupy the second spot on the PL table. They have won all three games, and are yet to concede a goal this season.

Manchester United face Southampton on September 14 and the Reds face Nottingham Forest on the same day in their first games after the international break.