This is Manchester United heritage.
From Andrei Kanchelskis to Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo to George Best, Old Trafford has long since been home to some of the world’s most exciting, direct widemen.
The type of rocket-powered winger who would have even the most confident and competent full-backs reaching for the aspirin.
It is a proud tradition Alejandro Garnacho appears destined to continue.
If 2022/23 was his breakout year, if 2023/24 was his confirmation season, then what will 2024/25 signpost in the career of Manchester United’s peroxide prince?
The year where he really establishes himself as one of the best forwards in European football, perhaps?
The manner in which he opened his account in the Community Shield against Manchester City – driving at goal and fizzing a shot with his so-called weaker foot into the corner – felt like the calling card of a young footballer ironing out those wrinkles and adding a ruthless streak to his gleaming potential.
Manchester United icon loves Alejandro Garnacho
Dimitar Berbatov, the iconic former Man United striker, believes that Garnacho still has some work to do.
His decision making has improved considerably over the last 12 months but it is still not quite at the elite level.
But the balletic Bulgarian cannot wait to see what the future holds for a 20-year-old who’s first goal in United colours – assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo against Real Sociedad – is starting to feel more and more like a ‘passing of the baton’ sort of moment.
“Maybe Garnacho because he has made the best impression on me, honestly,” the two-time Premier League winner tells FutBin when asked who should start on the right-hand side out of Amad Diallo and the Argentine.
“Purely because of his intent on getting the ball (and) going forward. He’s not going backwards, he’s going forward.
“He’s direct.”
Man United supporters have longed for this sort of selection headache. Joshua Zirkzee or Rasmus Hojlund? Harry Maguire or Matthijs de Ligt? Amad Diallo or Alejandro Garnacho?
Suddenly, the Red Devils have options – and very good ones too – in a number of key positions, with Ten Hag mulling over whether to hand Garnacho his first start of the campaign away at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
“Of course, he has a lot to learn,” Berbatov adds of the FA Cup final goalscorer. “Especially when to release the ball, when to pick his head up and see if someone is in a better position than himself because that’s a situation that he misses sometimes.”
“But he’s the sort of player that has that boyish enthusiasm and just wants to play and enjoy. Give him the ball, especially in the last third, and go out and destroy defenders.
“Diallo, similar to Garnacho, with the speed, with the movement, with the tricks and shots.”
Dimitar Berbatov gives advice to Red Devils wonderkid
Garnacho has delighted fellow United heroes Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane of late. The latter, speaking after his fine solo effort at Wembley nearly a fortnight ago, claimed that Garnacho is now starting to do ‘what really good players do‘ on a regular basis.
Berbatov, meanwhile, has further pearls of wisdom for Garnacho and the rest of Man United’s up-and-coming talents.
“All these players, in my mind of course, they need to use their strong side. Don’t get the ball on the halfway line and then start running with it and get into the box because you’re going to be tired,” Berbatov adds.
“Just use your strong sides in the right moments. Be patient.
“I understand it. Sometimes you don’t get the ball for a long time. You get angry, you get irritated, you want to get the ball so you go back to the halfway line and say ‘give me the ball’. Now you want to impress and you run with the ball but you get tired.
“You get to the last third in the box and your brain is tired and cannot give information to your legs. You get confused and you lose the ball. Then you start over again.
“Use your qualities the best way possible when you’re close to the goal. These will be your most effective positions to make an impression.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
