Alejandro Garnacho has begun 2022 where he left off 2021, scoring another spectacular goal to add to his personal highlight reel.
The Spanish forward netted the second goal for Manchester United’s under-18s in a 4-2 victory over Everton at the weekend.
Receiving the ball inside his own centre circle, Garnacho was given space to run through at goal as he ran directly at the opposition, with striker Joe Hugill creating space with a smart off-ball run to distract the defence.
Garnacho let fly from outside the box and directed the ball like an arrow into the bottom corner.
The former Atletico Madrid talent was crowded by teammates as he wheeled off to celebrate doubling United’s lead.
Hard fought win
United’s under-18s had taken an early lead when defender Sonny Aljofree scored from close range.
The team did what the first team failed to do this season, scoring from a set piece, with Aljofree on the end of a Marc Jurado cross, squezing a shot in at the near post.
After Garnacho had put United 2-0 up, Everton began a fight-back and squared the game at 2-2 early in the first half.
Two goalkeeping errors allowed Joe Hugill to give United a win, with one scored from long range and another from inside the box after a free-kick was spilled into his path.
Hugill had dropped down into the under-18s with D’Mani Mellor taking his spot in the under-23s, and scoring two in a win over Brighton on Friday.
The 4-2 win was a confidence boosting one for United’s under-18s, because in two weeks time United host this Everton side at Old Trafford at Carrington in the FA Youth Cup.
Garnacho goals
This strike was the 10th goal Garnacho has scored at academy level this season, of which two have come for the under-23s.
The other eight have come in the under-18s league, Premier League Cup, FA Youth Cup, and UEFA Youth League.
He is the first academy player this season to reach double figures, narrowly ahead of Manni Norkett and Charlie McNeill.
Garnacho also has an impressive five assists for the under-18s this season too, further underlining the threat he poses.
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