ESPN pundit says Manchester United star is a ‘breath of fresh air’, he took a major step forward

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Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho must stay in the team, according to one pundit.

Promising youngster Alejandro Garnacho played his 50th game for Manchester United at the weekend in the 1-0 win over Fulham.

Garnacho was able to play 90 minutes for the first time ever in the Premier League. This was a major step forward for his development.

He had previously played the full 90 in the FA Cup last season and in the Carabao Cup third round this past September.

Alejandro Garnacho praised

The match against Fuham was far from straightforward, but it could have been if Scott McTominay’s disallowed early goal had been allowed to stand.

McTominay’s ‘goal’ was set up by an instinctive first-time cross from Alejandro Garnacho, which would have been his first assist of the season.

Like the rest of the team Garnacho is fighting to show his best form, but he showed flashes and persisted as United searched for a winning goal.

He was singled out via ESPN pundit Kieran Gibbs, with the former Arsenal defender telling the channel he liked the way he applied himself.

Gibbs said: “I still like Garnacho, he’s a breath of fresh air. He is the only one in the team who doesn’t seems so pedestrian, and wants to effect the game.

“I think he [Ten Hag] has to stick with him. Most of the team still seem affected confidence-wise by bad form and that’s understandable. This is where they are at right now.”

Garnacho stakes claim amid Rashford absence

The reason Garnacho was able to play the full 90 was due to Marcus Rashford being injured and failing to make the bench.

Another aspect to it was Antony‘s woeful display on the right, which meant when United were looking to make a change, it was clearly going to be the Brazilian who made way.

The severity of Rashford’s injury is unclear, which means we do not yet know if he will be available for the next couple of games.

What Garnacho did show, is that he is a credible alternative, and United do not need to rush Rashford back if he is not 100 per cent, especially considering his own struggle for form.