RIO FERDINAND has hit back at Roy Keane for his criticism of Alejandro Garnacho. The Manchester United legend believes that the Argentine may have struggled this season but still has something to offer the club. Keane claimed that Garnacho would not be "trusted" following the club's 2-1 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup. However, Ferdinand has hit back and claimed that the winger is one of the only players not "shying away" from the ball.
![[Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United in a red jersey.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/editorial-use-images-copyright-every-970198070_7944f6.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Speaking on his podcast, he said: "You look at him and say his game isn’t 100 per cent clean but that can be developed. "But he doesn’t lack effort, he doesn’t lack energy. "He’s got a pair of b******s, that says he wants the ball, he will take the ball anywhere. "He has got that belief and character that says 'I should be here and I should be playing, give me the ball at all times'. "And in the situation we are in now where there are a lot of players shying away from the ball when the team aren’t doing well, he stands out like a sore form in that respect.".
![[Portrait of Roy Keane, former footballer and TV pundit.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/roy-keane-former-footballer-now-969987947.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Ferdinand has also likened to Garnacho to former Man United star Nani. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. The Portuguese forward often thrilled the Old Trafford terraces with his flamboyant playstyle. He added: "He reminds me of Nani. "One of the frustrations is he would get to it [the ball] and make the wrong decision or he would get to it and his execution wouldn’t be clean. "But these players grow into that when given the time.
![[Rio Ferdinand, TNT Sports pundit, at a UEFA Champions League match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-tnt-sports-pundit-rio-967817920.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"Comments like that when you say he can’t be trusted, that’s a big comment for a young kid. "I understand Roy might believe that but when you look at alternatives. "If there were loads more options, I would understand it, but there is nothing else there that offers what he does, and it is a hard one to understand.". Garnacho has made 37 appearances in all competitions this season and has scored eight goals.
![[Nani of Manchester United celebrates a goal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/nani-manchester-united-celebrates-scoring-628992560.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
