Rio Ferdinand has issued a warning to Garnacho after his Man Utd comeback last weekend (Picture: Getty / Vibe with Five)
Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester United youngster Garnacho he will need to add more versatility to his game next season.
The teenager has enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough campaign under Erik ten Hag and recently committed his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract.
Garnacho marked his comeback after two months out with an ankle injury on Saturday by scoring the goal that clinched victory over Wolves and cemented United’s place in the top four.
The 18-year-old earned significant praise from this manager who has been critical of the teenager’s attitude and professionalism at various points over the last night months.
‘You see [his impact] is very, very important but I think, first of all, all the subs had a good impact,’ said the Dutchman at his post-match press conference after another eye-catching cameo.
‘That was one of the problems in the last weeks, that our subs were bad, they didn’t have an impact. But today all the subs came on and straight away had an impact on the game.
‘And Garna [Garnacho] of course everyone can see it. He scored a great goal, he came in and he did – I think – almost everything good.
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‘And then he scored the goal and that will give him belief and it’s good for us, because it’s good for the rest of the season that he’s back. The goal gives him confidence and he can have an impact.’
United legend Ferdinand, meanwhile, has been impressed with Garnacho’s fearless mindset but insists he needs to develop more attributes to his game if he is to avoid being figured out by wily Premier League defenders.
He told Vibe with Five: ‘He’s a player that has come in, and shows no respect, at all for people. He don’t look at no reputations.
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‘I don’t even think he looks at the [opposition] team sheet, I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes into the game and when he’s out there says ‘whose your right back today’, he just don’t respect them. ‘I am this good I am doing my thing and you are going to have to stop me, work me out, come on’.
‘Next season will be the telling point because they all know you, they all expect it from you, have you got a new trick?
‘That’s what I want to see from Saka next year. But what I’m saying is he doesn’t go on his outside much any more. That’s why Mahrez is a problem. If you look at his data he goes a balance between going right or left. You never know where he’s going to go.’
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The teenager came back with a bang against Wolves.
