“This kid looks like he’s got that arrogance” - Rio Ferdinand raves about Manchester United star despite Community Shield loss

Rio Ferdinand praised Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho for his impressive cameo in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Saturday, August 10. The 20-year-old winger came on as a substitute, but his energy quickly changed the game for the Red Devils.

Garnacho came on in the 59th minute and made an immediate impact with his darting runs and incisive passing. He sent Marcus Rashford through on goal in the 75th minute, but the Englishman could only hit the post with his effort.

In the 82nd minute, though, Garnacho opened the scoring with a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner. Although Manchester United conceded just seven minutes later and eventually lost the penalty shoot-out, Garnacho was a delight to watch.

United legend Ferdinand praised the winger while talking about the game on Rio Ferdinand Presents, claiming (via YouTube):

“Garnacho, he comes on and changes the game. He is a wonderful footballer by the way. This kid looks like he’s got that arrogance - ‘get me on that pitch. I’m the guy, build around me.’ [Garnacho looks like he means to tell] Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, INEOS, 'I’m your guy'."

"That’s the way he moves to me, that’s the vibe I get from Garnacho. He looked like our most potent player. Comes on for 45 minutes and looks like our most productive player."

The former Manchester United defender continued:

“He just fills me with so much enthusiasm because of his appetite for the big moments. He’s saying, ‘give me the ball in the big moments, I’m going to take this game [on] and get you a goal.' It’s a valuable asset to have when you’ve got someone who is so young, enthused and wants to hurt the opponent with every single opportunity.”

Alejandro Garnacho was easily one of the most exciting players on the pitch, and he will be looking to take that form into the 2024-25 Premier League season.

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Erik ten Hag backs Casemiro to stay at Manchester United despite exit links

Former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro was another player who excelled in the Community Shield clash, providing quality passes into the area and creating important chances while remaining defensively sound.

Casemiro struggled in the 2023-24 season and multiple reports claimed that the Brazilian midfielder could leave Old Trafford for the Saudi Pro League this summer.

However, Erik ten Hag backed the 32-year-old midfielder to stay at United this summer, saying after the match (via GOAL):

"Since a long time he has a pre-season so he is very fit in the moment. As a team we work very well and that is easier for Casemiro. He is a great player and can bring his skillset. He is very important for our team... I don’t have any signal he won’t stay and we are very happy with that."

Casemiro will be hoping for an impressive season at Manchester United after a sub-par return and injury concerns last campaign.