Alejandro Garnacho made his return to action for Manchester United’s academy this weekend.
The Spanish talent missed the first few weeks of 2021 due to injury after a promising start at the club.
He returned to the under-18s team at the weekend and had an immediate impact in the game against Derby.
Garnacho’s pressing won the ball back in the final third and he then played in a through ball to set up Charlie McNeill. The striker missed his first attempt before scoring from the rebound.
Garnacho claimed an assist for the goal, although technically because it was rebounded shot, it was not awarded to him.
The goal put United 1-0 up but the team went on to suffer a 3-1 defeat, with Derby scoring two second half goals from set pieces.
The loss should not have come as a surprise considering United’s experimental line-up consisted of several under-16s players, including 14-year-old Finley McAllister who made his debut.
Garnacho was a lively threat, with one driving run from the left wing creating a real chance before he fired narrowly over.
The defeat was frustrating one – but United are still joint top of the under-18s league. A number of under-18s players have been pushed up to the under-23s, while there are several players also out injured.
Getting Garnacho back, a summer addition from Atletico Madrid, should help over the next couple of months if he can stay fit between now and the end of the season.
- How Marcus Rashford fared for England in 4-2 World Cup win vs Croatia
- How Bruno Fernandes fared in Portugal’s 1-1 draw against DR Congo
- Tom Heaton tips resilient Harry Maguire to bounce back from England snub
- ‘Rejected’… Ruben Amorim suffers major blow as AC Milan deal for key addition collapses already
- What sources close to Patrick Dorgu are now saying about his long-term future for Man Utd
- Kobbie Mainoo says England are about to face a player Casemiro speaks so highly about, ‘Pedestal…’
- Bruno Fernandes has now told Man Utd to sign £85m midfielder who is ‘very keen’ on transfer
- Michael Carrick lifts lid on Sir Jim Ratcliffe relationship as optimism brews for new season
- Graeme Souness says he’s now changed his mind about Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd
- Harry Maguire says he knows why Trevoh Chalobah has been called up for England ahead of him and Luke Shaw
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
