‘So valuable’ - Joe Cole heaps praise on Aston Villa mainstay amid Manchester United interest

Joe Cole has laid on the superlatives for Aston Villa’s John McGinn, who was of interest to Manchester United during the January transfer window.

The midfielder has been a leading figure for Steven Gerrard’s side with his non-stop work rate and character impressing many, including Cole.

Hailing his ability, Cole said: “You speak to anyone in and around Aston Villa and they love him.

“He’s a character, he’s a leader. Chatting to him, he’s really excited about having Steven Gerrard and Gary McAllister - two midfielders he’s soaking up knowledge from. He’s an all-round midfielder.

“Forget what he does off the ball, on the ball he does everything. He gives them a little bit of bite-back, tenacity winning the ball back - but then you couple that with the other side of his game which has got lovely close control.”

Former England international Cole added: “He's as strong as an ox and he picks the right pass, he has a lovely weight of pass.

“His decision making is good. He’s well drilled, tactically good, runs forward, sets up goals and to add on top of all that which midfielders sometimes neglect these days, he knows where the goal is.”

Gerrard has been singing the praises of McGinn, and is eager to build his team around him with a rumoured bumper new deal possibly on the way .

Ralf Rangnick was reportedly keen on bringing the Scotland international to Manchester United in last month’s transfer window but nothing came of the interest.

Commenting on the links with an Old Trafford switch, he said: “You look at that club [Manchester United] and you constantly hear noises about this player is unhappy because the manager said this and this player’s unhappy because he’s been given time off here and he didn’t want it and all