Alejandro Garnacho 'needs to stop thinking about being the next Cristiano Ronaldo' as Man Utd icon lashes out at 'fanboy'

Garnacho has faced criticism for the level of his performances and has been called out for his reactions on the field amid United's struggles this season. Ruben Amorim even forced the 20-year-old to buy his team-mates a meal for his reaction to being substituted against Ipswich last month.

Garnacho has enjoyed a recent uptick in his performances, netting a goal against Leicester last time out after getting an assist in each leg of their Europa League win against Real Sociedad this month. However, former United and England defender Paul Parker sees him as an immature player as he urged him against thinking he can be the successor to his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We can't keep using the excuse that Garnacho is young. He is not young anymore, at least not in football. He turns 21 in the summer and before he knows he will be 30. He needs to understand that and start performing," he told SpilXperten.

"He is not playing like an adult and he is certainly not acting like an adult, and he has to have a good look in the mirror, to tell himself that he needs to stop thinking about being the next Ronaldo. He will never be that, so he has to accept the fact that he needs to work hard to get a decent career."

He added: "I liked him when he came through and he had that Argentinian fire in his belly, which he has lost completely. He has let himself and his family down. He has let his club down, because he is not taking advantage of the talent he was supposed to have. I am not seeing anything from him. The most important thing for him now is to understand what he is good at and what he is bad at.

"He can't take on people, he is not quick enough and he doesn't want to work hard. So, what is he actually good at? He needs to figure that out and show it, rather than just wanting to be the next Ronaldo. Because at the moment, to me, he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy, who would rather make a few highlights to post them on social media rather than winning football matches and make this club great again."

Garnacho was left out of the Argentina squad for the current international period, meaning he will have to watch on as his compatriots take on Brazil in World Cup qualifying. The winger will likely be involved when United take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League next week.