Patrice Evra makes Julian Alvarez claim and slams ex-Man United boss Ralf Rangnick's comments on Man City ace

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has lauded Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez.

The Blues frontman has scored four goals for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar, including a brace in the semi-final victory over Croatia. He is expected to feature for the South American outfit in the final against France on Sunday afternoon.

Alvarez, who scored seven goals in 20 matches for Pep Guardiola's side prior to the break in the domestic campaign, has been impressive in the tournament - with City being praised for managing to secure his services for a fee in the region of £14million in January of this year.

In March, Ralf Rangnick said the United board shut down his request to sign a forward in the January transfer window, with the interim boss having urged the Reds to recruit Alvarez prior to his move to the Etihad Stadium.

He told reporters: "The answer at the time was no, there was no player on the market that could really help us. [But] there were a few: Diaz, who is now at Liverpool, Alvarez, who will be at Manchester City in the summer, Vlahovic, who at the time still was with Fiorentina. Those are just three of them that come across my mind now."

With Alvarez having enjoyed a productive few weeks in the Middle East, Rangnick's comments about the Argentina striker resurfaced on social media. However, former United ace Evra has suggested it is irrelevant to talk about the matter.

"Why are we still talking about Rangnick? I don't understand those statements, you're not in the club anymore," the Frenchman told Betfair. "My target was Mbappe, we need to stop that. Every manager, their target was Mbappe, they will say, 'oh, he was my target'.

"People have to stop talking about United when they are not at the club anymore. I don't like that. It makes it look like the club was not doing a good job because this was my target, he was my target.

"You get the team, did you win the league or did you not? Focus on that, not who is on your Christmas list. On my Christmas list, I want every best player in the world playing for Manchester United. That's what happens in the World Cup, you expect the big players to start for the team.

"What Lautaro Martinez is doing with Inter Milan is amazing, but Alvarez is that one player that is shining at the World Cup at the moment. When Alvarez goes back to Man City, will he play with Erling Haaland? Maybe."

Speaking directly about the 22-year-old City striker, Evra added: "Alvarez is a great kid, has great energy, can finish very well, but he already plays for a big team so I don't need to add anything on Alvarez."

Guardiola's side return to domestic action against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup next Thursday, while Erik ten Hag's side face off against Burnley in the same competition the day before.