Alejandro Garnacho was just kicking off his FA Youth Cup run this time last year. Along with Kobbie Mainoo, both players were selected to start the Carabao Cup quarter-finals last night.
This is the kind of progress which can only happen at a club like Manchester United, and with a manager like Erik ten Hag.
Garnacho was entrusted to help lead the attack, and his performance was electric, only missing a goal.
The young Argentine is yet to score since the post-World Cup restart, but based on last night’s performance, it’s only a matter of time before he adds to his tally.
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Garnacho performance praised
Speaking to the club website following the 3-0 victory over Charlton, Ten Hag commented: “We had good opportunities, especially on the left side, also on the right side. Alejandro Garnacho created a lot.”
Garnacho already has two assists in the Carabao Cup and won the penalty in the FA Cup victory at the weekend against Everton.
From the very first whistle against Charlton he was ‘on it’, giving opposition full-back Sean Clare a really tough night.
Garnacho completed four dribbles, more than any player on the pitch, while creating two goalscoring chances.
He was in the thick of the action, with 63 touches, and despite his speed and directness, still completed 86 per cent of his passes.
Garnacho is a buzzsaw, who makes things happen, opening up spaces for his teammates and mentally occupying opposition defenders, winning two free-kicks.
His combination of speed and fearlessness puts defenders on the backfoot, and while he did not get his goal last night, he was an integral part of United’s performance.
The youngster is now making this all look routine. It’s almost non-newsworthy that the teenager is lighting up Old Trafford, he is doing it so regularly, but that doesn’t mean it should not be appreciated.
The best is yet to come from Garnacho, with this raw, exciting talent, a player Erik ten Hag will be confident he can help mould into a very special one.
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