Ferdinand: Yoro must 'pick battles' with No. 9s

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has told centre-back Leny Yoro to pick his battles with Premier League opponents as he is not physically able to consistently compete.

Yoro, 20, has started the last three matches under Michael Carrick and his 27 appearances mean he is on course to surpass last season's tally of 32.

Nevertheless, Ferdinand believes the youngster still has a lot to learn and is not yet at the stage where he can dominate opposition players.

"Leny Yoro right now is trying to fight too many fights in a game, when physically he's not starting at the same place," he said on his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents.

"They're all much more physically developed. Most of the players he's playing against and No. 9s especially are stronger than him.

"So, then you've got to pick your battles. Pick your duel. Which one are you actually going to have if you've got a 60-40 in your favour? Then you go all in."

Yoro has benefited from the absence of Lisandro Martínez, who has been out since early February with a calf injury.

The Argentina international has made only 15 appearances this season after coming back following a nine-month recovery from an ACL injury.

Martinez has spoken about how the support he received from international team-mates Alexis Mac Allister, the Liverpool midfielder, and Emiliano Martínez, Aston Villa's goalkeeper, was crucial in his rehabilitation having considered retirement during the most difficult moments.

- Kai Rooney, 16, signs with dad Wayne's long-time agent
- Man Utd legend Paul Scholes: Messaged Michael Carrick after social media barb
- Premier League giants can't afford to miss Champions League riches for even a season

"It was one of the toughest situations. I needed everyone's help; without them, it wouldn't have been easy," he told South American television channel DSports.

"You have to start from scratch again. Dibu [Martinez] and Mac Allister showed up at my house to support me.

"That shows what we are like in the national team, how we look out for each other. Dibu sent me a message. He said: 'I'm coming to your house,' and when he arrived he said: "Mac Allister is coming too. It was a really nice moment."