Everton defender Mason Holgate is not paying attention to the comparisons with John Stones and instead wants to emulate a Manchester United great.

The 19-year-old has been billed as a natural replacement for Stones who joined Manchester City in a £47.5million deal on Tuesday.

But Holgate, who like Stones left Barnsley for Everton, sees himself more as a Rio Ferdinand type.

“The comparisons are there with John because of the background," Holgate told the Daily Mail.

“He was a few years older than me at Barnsley so we never crossed paths there, though he helped me when I came to Everton.

"All the senior players have. I started out in midfield so I've always tried to be composed on the ball but I've certainly worked harder on my defending since I've come here.

“I'm still growing. I'm 6ft 3ins tall now and starting to fill out so I'm handling the physical side and the likes of Phil Jagielka or David Unsworth, the U21s coach, are always around to give me advice.

“John's a great footballer so comparisons are really nice but I've been reading Rio Ferdinand's autobiography lately and I suppose if anything I'd like to play the way he did."