Ten Hag praises game changing Manchester United teenager, who he now has to start v Newcastle

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Manchester United need to make changes for the upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle.

After a bad result, Erik ten Hag has a habit of sending the same 11 players out onto the pitch for the next game, for them to try and prove a point.

But he can’t do this against Newcastle this week in the Carabao Cup fourth round. There are too many players deserving of opportunities.

One of these is Alejandro Garnacho – a second half substitute against City, brought on when United were already 2-0 down.

Ten Hag praises Garnacho

Erik ten Hag was quizzed after the 3-0 defeat to City about his substitutions, which it didn’t look like he got right.

He told club media that he wanted ‘to bring some energy in’ – and pointed to Alejandro Garnacho’s ability.

Ten Hag said: “We have bench players, so we have Mason Mount, we have Alejandro Garnacho and we know he can change games. We bring them in and that is the argument why.”

Garnacho changed the game against City last season, providing an assist for the winner. But he did not get a look in yesterday, with United a shell of the team which took all three points from the previous league derby in January.

Garnacho must start

Erik ten Hag believes in Alejandro Garnacho but he does need to start showing it. The 19-year-old deserves a chance to start.

There has been plenty of discourse around whether Garnacho is better as a starter or substitute – but you know what… Marcus Rashford is not very good as a starter right now.

Rashford is now nine consecutive starts for Manchester United without scoring. It’s time for a change.

And as for Garnacho, he actually did score on his last start.

This came back at the end of September in the Carabao Cup third round against Crystal Palace, with the youngster scoring the opening goal in a 3-0 win.

He has been harshly treated since, used only as a substitute. With the Carabao Cup resuming this week, it feels like the right time for the Argentine to be selected back into the line-up.