'Stop making stuff up to create hate!' - Alejandro Garnacho's brother insists Man Utd star never unfollowed Lionel Messi as Rio Ferdinand is called out for spreading 'incorrect info' relating to Cristiano Ronaldo

Alejandro Garnacho hit the headlines all over the world after his wonder-goal against Everton on Sunday. But a curious claim from Ferdinand in the aftermath of the game saw Garnacho's brother, Roberto, rally to defend him. The former-England star asserted that Messi had unfollowed Garnacho on Instagram due to his admiration of Cristiano Ronaldo. But the player's brother was adamant that Messi had never been a follower in the first place.

"Fake, Messi never followed him," posted Roberto Garnacho on X (formerly Twitter), quoting a video of Ferdinand. "Stop making stuff up just to create hate, garna [Alejandro Garnacho] loves and admires both of them and you all Trying to creating a rivalry."

Ferdinand replied to the post a few hours later claiming: "Was sarcasm, bro."

Argentinian players are usually unequivocal when it comes to answering the age-old Messi vs Ronaldo question. But Garnacho is a unique case, having only recently broken into the Argentina squad and having shared a field with Messi for just 16 minutes. The young winger was a team-mate of Ronaldo after his ultimately ill-fated return to Old Trafford, training with him daily and playing with him on a number of occasions. Given the circumstances, the 19-year-old understandably has a great deal of respect for both of the modern era's great players.

The GOAT debate will be pretty much the last thing on United's flying winger's mind on Wednesday night as his side take on Galatasaray in Istanbul. Erik ten Hag's side are in dire need of a result that will keep their faltering Champions League campaign alive.