Ashley Young scored a first-half brace at Vicarage Road (Picture: Getty)

Rio Ferdinand simply could not believe Ashley Young’s sensational free-kick in Manchester United clash with Watford.

The Hornets would have gone into the match full of confidence but an incredible first-half performance from United wing-back Young appeared to put the Red Devils out of sight at Vicarage Road.

Young, who played for Watford from 2003 to 2007, opened the scoring for United with a drilled effort in the 19th minute, but it was his second goal which had Jose Mourinho stunned in the dugout.

The reaction came as no surprise considering Young’s last Premier League goal for the Red Devils came in a 3-1 defeat of Bournemouth back in May 2016.

Speaking for BT Sport at half-time, Ferdinand said: ‘Pure, pure strike from Youngy there. Great strike.’

Rio Ferdinand trolled his former team-mate at half-time (Picture: Getty)

The ex-United and England centre-back had no idea his former team-mate had it in him.

He added: ‘I’ve never seen him do that at any time of his life.

‘I didn’t think Youngy had the muscle in his legs to get it that far.’

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