Update: Rio Ferdinand defends Alejandro Garnacho in blunt Man United claim – ‘In a bang average team’ News

Alejandro Garnacho has come under criticism for his Manchester United performances this season

Rio Ferdinand has come out in defence of Alejandro Garnacho, claiming too much has been expected from youngsters when Manchester United have underperformed.

Garnacho, who was subject of transfer interest from Napoli and Chelsea in the January transfer window, has come under an increasing amount of scrutiny. His equaliser against Newcastle United on Sunday was the Argentine’s second goal in the Premier League since the turn of the year.

Despite the team’s underwhelming campaign, Ferdinand has defended the 20-year-old while making a blunt assessment of United. “Decision-making is the last thing that clicks for young players,” he said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“Only the superstar ones get it right at a young age. [Cristiano] Ronaldo wasn’t a decision-maker when he came in as a kid. The biggest thing players like Ronaldo had — those who weren’t the finished article — was that they were given time. We’re expecting Garnacho to be the finished article now.

“Who says he won’t improve with time, with good coaching, by observing good practices from professionals around him, and by being in the right environment?

“I think we expect too much — from Garnacho and many young players. I’ve been guilty of that, too. I’m not comparing him to Ronaldo as a player, but I still see enough in this kid, especially in what is currently a bang-average team.”

With the summer transfer window set to re-open on June 1, Napoli have been tipped to return to the negotiation table for the forward. MEN Sport understands a bid in the region of £40m was rejected by the Reds in the January window.

According to Tutto Mercato, the Reds have revised their valuation of Garnacho, lowering the asking price from €60 million (£45.65m) in January to €45 million (£34.2m). The report adds that Napoli boss Antonio Conte remains interested in Garnacho and would be keen to bring him on board.

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