Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand launched a passionate defence of Alejandro Garnacho after the winger was accused of consistently making poor decisions on the pitch.
The Argentina international started as one of the two most advanced midfielders in Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 formation.
Garnacho’s faulty execution was on full display, especially in one or two crucial counter-attacks that broke down because he failed to release the ball to Marcus Rashford early enough.
Ex-United star Lee Sharpe pinpointed this as something Garnacho needs to work on, as he labelled the forward “a little bit greedy.”
Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe was also very comfortable against Garnacho and hardly needed to break a sweat.
The United n.o 17 has since come under some criticism from a section of fans, who have highlighted his weaknesses. In the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, co-host Stephen Howson provided a scathing critique of Garnacho, claiming the Carrington academy graduate “has the decision-making of a cat. It’s awful.”
Howson added that he would drop Garnacho from the starting XI, in favour of an attacking trio of Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund.
Ferdinand wasn’t having any of it and responded, “Don’t talk about Garnacho like that. You can’t be perfect, he’s a kid man!”
“[Without Garnacho] no one’s running back, no one’s running in behind the opposition. I’d play Garnacho on the left.”
“This is a process we can’t expect them to look like the Sporting team now. It’s impossible, you can’t expect that to be the case.”
Garnacho will certainly be hoping for far better fortunes when United host Eliteserien outfit FK Bodø/Glimt at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
Does anybody think that Man Utd and Michael Carrick can sustain their form? And who will win the title? Send your predictions to theeditor@football365.com Why evaluate transfers in early August? Seems we’ve reached that point in the off-season where fans are fully turning their attention to their club’s activity in the transfer market, and readily
Standard Sport understands that Newcastle defender Hall has long had admirers at United, and there is strong interest this summer, but any deal will prove extremely complicated this summer. Newcastle have already lost Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer, and are set to lose captain Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal. A fourth key player leaving
The summer window is kicking up a gear as Arsenal agree a £75million fee for Bruno Guimaraes and grow confident of completing a club-record deal for Vinicius Jr, while the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham work hard on new signings of their own. Guimaraes is set to undergo a medical this week
Manchester United have begun revisiting a potential move for Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini, an intriguing development that could alter the direction of their rebuild. Turning their attention to a centre-back would represent a shift in priorities as United's main intention has been to sign a third midfielder this summer. But pursuing a defender such as
What happens next with Rashford and Man Utd? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Marcus Rashford made six appearances for England at the World Cup By Manchester United reporter The unlikely Manchester United reunion is close to completion. When Marcus Rashford was unveiled by Barcelona in July 2025, at the start of a season-long loan
Getty Images Sport Man Utd are investigating whether an ambitious deal for Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly is possible this summer. The 19-year-old midfielder has impressed manager Michael Carrick with his elite mindset, though his recent resurgence under Mikel Arteta could keep him in north London. United target ambitious Lewis-Skelly move United are investigating whether an ambitious
Manchester United are still in the market for new signings before the transfer window closes and have been linked with several players in recent weeks Manchester United still have three pre-season matches remaining before the start of the new Premier League campaign. And Michael Carrick will be hoping to welcome some recruits through the Old
Michael Carrick could go for an unorthodox approach in replacing Marcus Rashford at Manchester United The future of Marcus Rashford has once again been reignited. The Manchester United attacker remains on course for a return to Carrington after he completes his post-World Cup break. His reunion with the Red Devils was approved by United boss
Who are the greatest players in Manchester United’s history? The Athletic gave Andy Mitten the task of compiling his top 25, and we are counting them down this summer, in reverse order. He explains his thought process here. Wayne Rooney scored 253 goals for Manchester United, more than any other player in the club’s history. Four more than
Does anybody think that Man Utd and Michael Carrick can sustain their form? And who will win the title? Send your predictions to theeditor@football365.com Why evaluate transfers in early August? Seems we’ve reached that point in the off-season where fans are fully turning their attention to their club’s activity in the transfer market, and readily
Standard Sport understands that Newcastle defender Hall has long had admirers at United, and there is strong interest this summer, but any deal will prove extremely complicated this summer. Newcastle have already lost Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer, and are set to lose captain Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal. A fourth key player leaving
The summer window is kicking up a gear as Arsenal agree a £75million fee for Bruno Guimaraes and grow confident of completing a club-record deal for Vinicius Jr, while the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham work hard on new signings of their own. Guimaraes is set to undergo a medical this week
Manchester United have begun revisiting a potential move for Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini, an intriguing development that could alter the direction of their rebuild. Turning their attention to a centre-back would represent a shift in priorities as United's main intention has been to sign a third midfielder this summer. But pursuing a defender such as
What happens next with Rashford and Man Utd? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Marcus Rashford made six appearances for England at the World Cup By Manchester United reporter The unlikely Manchester United reunion is close to completion. When Marcus Rashford was unveiled by Barcelona in July 2025, at the start of a season-long loan