James Garner is enjoying a strong start to his loan spell in the Championship with Watford.
Garner has played 11 games in all competitions with the Hornets now sitting in the automatic promotion spots, and he provided an assist in their most recent win.
The 19-year-old has been speaking to Watford’s official website about his experience at Manchester United so far in his career.
Garner was asked about what it was like getting the chance to learn from Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
He responded by praising the work rate and professionalism shown by both players, commenting that both stay and do extra training.
Garner said: “They’re world class players and to be in and around them every single day, you can’t help but learn.
“Even things off the pitch like the way they present themselves, and when they’re on the pitch they work hard and do all the extras after training.
“They’re always out doing shooting and finishing, so it’s great to learn from them.”
Garner has made seven competitive appearances for United so far in his career.
None of these came in 2020, which underlined his need for a loan move to continue his progression.
The loan to Watford has so far been exactly what he needed, and he is earning his right to play regularly in a team competing at the top of the table.
Garner’s loan is a season long one and if he helps win promotion then there of course may be a possibility Watford try to loan him an extra year in the Premier League, like Sheffield United did with Dean Henderson.
Asked about this possibility, Garner said he was keeping his options open.
He said: “Obviously it depends what the future holds and I don’t know what the situation is going to be for me when I go back to United, but for the time I’ve been here so far it’s been really good.
“Hopefully we will be successful this season and then we’ll see what happens.”
United’s midfield is more competitive than ever, but next year Nemanja Matic will turn 33, and Garner may want to stay and fight for a spot. United could of course sign another midfielder, which would complicate matters.
The possible departure of Paul Pogba, one of the players Garner said he has enjoyed learning from, could help open up a spot.
For now, Garner has to concentrate on the task at hand with Watford, with 35 league games remaining in a gruelling Championship season.
This is a big test for him and so far he is doing himself and United proud.
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