Alejandro Garnacho scored a goal for Manchester United during the penalty shootout loss to Manchester City.
The 20-year-old winger was excellent in his cameo with the goal being the moment of the game – putting Manchester United 1-0 up at the time before ultimately City came back to win on penalties.
For Alejandro Garnacho though this was a second goal at Wembley against the city rivals in as many games – showing that he can take another step this season – with Pep Guardiola already impressed.
Garnacho has established himself as United’s main man on the wings – with next week against Fulham already looking likely to see him starting.
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After his improved season last year, the Argentine has continued that trend, which has led to praise following his display, with one thing in particular lauded.
Alejandro Garnacho shows how lethal he is in front of goal
For Garnacho, a strong cameo was exactly what he would have wanted and it will have put him right back into the starting line-up to face Fulham we would predict.
But for Phil Bardsley on MUTV, the Argentine’s improvements were particularly visible in one area – and he has been praised for it.
“It’s the way he plays on the transition”, Bardsley explained at full-time while speaking to Sam Homewood.
“This kid is lightning-fast and the one thing I will say from obviously early on in his career, he’s a little bit calmer in front of the goal now, he’s got a little bit more composure.
“Coming off the right today but with a nice finish with his left foot, he’s got that little bit of calmness when he gets in front of goal.”
All too often last season and in his debut campaign, Garnacho would snatch at opportunities when he saw an opening which was frustrating to watch as multiple opportunities on goal were missed.
Therefore, it is very encouraging to see the 20-year-old convert a chance that he also created pretty much single-handedly.
Alejandro Garnacho set to become key man for Erik ten Hag
Garnacho was a key man for United last season, there is no debating that – but he was still slightly inconsistent and frustrated at times.
However, already this season he looks like a completely different player – although we will know much more in the coming weeks.
Garnacho looked like he had put on some muscle and was also far more decisive and complete in every action he took.
He is becoming a star, and this season has all the makings of being the one in which he establishes himself as a world-class player.
It could not have gotten off to a better start.
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