Rio Ferdinand believes Harry Kane's Tottenham departure has forced other players to step up in his absence.

Kane, 30, joined Bayern Munich before the start of Spurs' Premier League campaign but they have made an encouraging start under new boss Ange Postecoglou.

The North Londoners drew 2-2 at Brentford before dominating Manchester United in a 2-0 home win last Saturday.

Speaking on Vibe With Five, sponsored by LiveScore, Ferdinand said: "When Kane's there, when you've got a talisman who everyone looks to, if there's any moment of doubt in their mind they would look to him.

"And he found solutions for them for the last 10 years or so. Now, that guy isn't there so they have to take responsibility."

The likes of Yves Bissouma, James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr have impressed, reminding Ferdinand of a previous period of transition while he was playing for the Red Devils.

He added: "It's like Ruud van Nistelrooy at United. When I signed at United, all I heard in the stands was 'Ruud, Ruud'.

"He was dominant in all areas. The ball had to come through him, if it didn’t come to him he used to go nuts.

"We won the league with him and the FA Cup with him. And then when he left, the team just went [up a level].

"When he left, it was [Wayne] Rooney, it was [Cristiano] Ronaldo, all these other players came forward and we were more dangerous because there were more people to play through."

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