James Garner explains how playing in the ‘aggressive’ Championship has helped develop his game

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Manchester United youngster James Garner admits that his time in the Championship has ‘helped massively’ as he continues to impress at Nottingham Forest.

The 21-year-old scored his fourth goal of the season with a left-footed striker into the top corner in Forest’s 2-0 win over Coventry City last night.

Garner’s strike from inside the penalty area took his direct goal involvements for the season into double figures. He has six assists to go alongside his four goals from 38 matches across all competitions.

The England Under-21 international has started Forest’s last 24 matches and his importance in Steve Cooper’s side has grown as the season develops, and the City Ground side’s push for a play-off spot continues to build momentum.

The Manchester United academy graduate has blossomed under Cooper, who he played for when the former Swansea City manager was in charge of the England Under-17s.

With 73 Championship games under his belt, Garner is under no illusion of the benefit playing regular first team football has brought him.

Speaking via Nottinghamshire Live, Forest’s number 37 said: “I think it’s helped me massively. I don’t think I would be where I am at this stage right now if I was still playing with U23s back at United.

“It has helped me massively to develop as a player. It’s developed a whole different side of my game which I didn’t think I needed if that makes sense.

“The Championship is a hard, hard league, it’s aggressive and you’ve got to have all the basic fundamentals before you can then bring out your talent.”

Garner also spoke about the positive influence coming through United’s academy has had on his burgeoning career.

The midfielder added: “They don’t just help you on the pitch, they help you off the pitch as well, how to be a good human being, which is the most important thing.

“I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for the academy system, I’m so grateful. A couple of years ago I was very fortunate to play a couple of games in the Europa League and I took a lot of things from it.”

While Forest chase promotion to the Premier League, it seems a formality that James Garner will be playing top-flight football next season, whether it’s at Old Trafford or not remains to be seen.