Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GARNACHO GIVEN CHANCE TO SHINE
EXCLUSIVE BY STEVE BATES
NEW Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has told senior staff at Old Trafford he intends to fast-track teen sensation Alejandro Garnacho.
The incoming Dutchman is looking to the future in every sense as he counts down the days to his first pre-season at United.
And Ten Hag is already planning for 17-year-old Garnacho, signed from Atletico Madrid in 2020, to play a far bigger role in the next campaign.
There was little to excite suffering United fans last season except the emergence of the winger, who finished the season with a bang by scoring twice in the FA Youth Cup Final as the young Reds won the trophy for the first time in 10 years.
And Garnacho, who was given a first-team debut by Ralf Rangnick against Chelsea at the end of the campaign followed by an outing in the final game at Crystal
Palace, did not stop there.
The Madrid-born youngster, who has opted to play for
Argentina due to his mother’s heritage having played at youth level for Spain, wowed at the recent international
Maurice Revello Tournament in Toulon.
He was the joint-second top scorer with four goals in four games as Argentina’s Under-20s – coached by former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano – finished fifth.
“Alejandro is a great player with a lot of potential for growing,” said Mascherano.
“It is clear that by playing in the club he plays for, and above all the importance his club gives him for the future, it is up to him to show what he is capable of.”
That is a clear message from the South Americans that they believe Garnacho is ready to play regularly for United despite his tender age.
He was called up for the full national squad in March, although he did not feature in the games.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni is already excited by Garnacho’s potential – as are stars like Lionel
Messi (below), who was said to be impressed by the teenager’s ability and confidence when he trained with the senior side.
So too were scouts from Europe’s top clubs who flocked to the south of France for the Revello Tournament.
And that is why United are prioritising a new six-year deal for the youngster.
Ten Hag already knows plenty about Garnacho, having asked for a detailed report on the teenager from academy head Nick Cox.
Sources at United’s Aon Training Complex at Carrington say club officials even set up Ten Hag with a subscription to MUTV so he could watch from Holland the FA Youth Cup Final last month.
Ten Hag was keen to see all
United’s U18 talent – but his main focus was on Garnacho.
Former United full-back Arthur Albiston, an FA Cup winner and Scotland World Cup star, closely watches the club’s emerging stars in his role as an academy analyst on MUTV.
“I’ve watched his development and he’s now catching the eye without a doubt because he’s adding goals to his game,” said Albiston. “He’s a very talented lad and can come off both wings and cut inside because he’s got two good feet.
“He’s got good balance, he moves well and he clearly has a sound temperament.
“I’ve seen a lot of kids coming through at United who have ability but playing in front of 75,000 at Old Trafford is another level – and not all of them can handle that.
“Garnacho looks like he can. He stepped up with no problem when United had a penalty in the FA Youth Cup Final against Forest.
“He won the spot-kick with some sharp play then tucked it away as cool as you like in front of the Stretford End.”
It is understood Ten Hag was also impressed by 16-cap Tunisia midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, 19, another United teenager given game time at the end of the season.