Not pulling up trees’- Ian Wright uses Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez to defend£100m Man United transfer

Former Premier League striker Ian Wright has defended Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez after the Uruguayan received criticism during his first season in the English top-flight.

After arriving from Portuguese giants Benfica in the summer, Nunez has scored nine goals in his debut season on Merseyside as he continues to acclimatise to his new surroundings. The early parts of the season saw him face sceptics over his quality after Manchester City’s summer signing, Erling Haaland, raced ahead in the race for the golden boot.

In recent weeks, the 23-year-old has endured spells out of the starting line-up before starting the Reds’ last two wins over Fulham and Brentford.

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A player who has suffered for form under the weight of their price-tag is Manchester United’s Antony who arrived from Ajax for £100m.

He assisted Anthony Martial for the opener in their 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and the former Arsenal striker believes like Nunez, the expectation for the new arrivals is greater than what it should be.

“I have got a lot of time for him. I think he is the same as Darwin Nunez,” Wright said on Match of The Day.

“It comes with the price tag, people expect so much from these players, we know they have ability but it’s their first year. When you look at what this guy can do, you have to give him some time.

“He gets himself on the back post here and he should do better (with the header) but you think with time he will do better. It’s an easy chance for him to take.

“This was an easy decision for him (assist), he gives it to Anthony Martial for a tap-in. He finds space and when you look at what he can offer, pace and skill, the way he skins players.

“Once he gets into the final third, you want the composure and calmness. He wants to have a shot and as time goes by, he won’t waste these kinds of runs.

“As time goes by, those decisions will come. He’s not pulling up trees but it will come.”

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