Man Utd legend Ferdinand blasts Stones critics after calling talkback show

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has jumped to the defence of John Stones after Everton's defeat to Stoke City.

Ferdinand called into the 606 phone-in on Radio Five Live on Monday night.

Stones had a bad game against Stoke in Everton's 4-3 defeat.

Ferdinand said: “It is typical of people in this country, 'oh he makes mistakes. He tries to do flash things.' He is the best ball playing centre half around at the moment.

“Give the kid a chance to play and to grow and to make mistakes. You have to make mistakes as a young kid.

“Allow him to do that because potentially he can go on to play for Barcelona, Real Madrid, the top clubs in this country and go on to become the captain of England.

“You can build a team around this kid. You cannot have people suppressing him."