Alejandro Garnacho burst onto the scene last season, establishing himself as Man United’s most attention-grabbing youngster.
Just over two hours after Alejandro Garnacho had scored his first Premier League goal, the man he described as his idol stole his thunder.
Garnachohad just scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner at Craven Cottage to helpManchester Unitedbeat Fulham 2-1 and sign off for the World Cup break with a bang. Shortly afterwards, however,Cristiano Ronaldo, who had missed the trip to the capital, was at the centre of attention instead.
At 8:55pm that Sunday evening, TV presenter and journalist Piers Morgan announced that he had conducted an ‘explosive interview’ with the Portuguese international. In an instant, Garnacho’s match-winning strike was no longer the hot topic.
Snippets of Ronaldo’s interview surfaced online and this ɾєρօɾτer was on shift that evening to cover every aspect. By the time I had closed my laptop lid late into the night, Garnacho’s winner was nothing more than a blur.
Ronaldo, in just a handful of sentences, had bɾօυɢҺt the curtain down on his United career and marked the єɴԀ of his second spell donning the infamous No.7 shirt.
It meant one of the most famous shirts in world football was up for grabs. As weeks and months went by, it appeared as though Garnacho was the prime candidate to claim it.
The Argentine, just as Ronaldo did in his heyday, thrives off getting on the ball, producing a trick, beating his man and getting supporters on their feet. He is a luxury player with the world at his feet at the age of just 19-years-old. Players of his type are rare and ought to be cherished.
It is why, after committing his long-term future to United back in April, he looked destined to be awarded the legєɴԀary No.7 shirt ahead of the start of the forthcoming campaign. He was United’s breakout star last season and big things are expected of him ahead of 2023/24, though it is important to remember his age and appreciate that a degree of patience is still required.
Garnacho, who made his first appearances for Argentina at senior level last month, made 34 appearances underErik ten Haglast season, eventually forcing his way into the team after the Dutchman shared concerns about his attitude. He went on the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia last summer but failed to make a single appearance.
Nevertheless, once he had forced his way into Ten Hag’s ρłɑɴs it was going to have to take something spectacular to dislodge him from them. It still is.
He scored five goals and grabbed five assists in all competitions for United last term, meaning he єɴԀed his first season at first-team level with a respectable ten direct goal contributions to his name. Many thought it would be enough to land him the No.7 shirt until it was inscribed acrossMason Mount’sback last week.
However, donning the No.7 shirt in M16 automatically raises expectations and increases responsibility. Garnacho, despite his undisputed talent levels, is still in development and United need to take their time with him. By not getting the No.7 shirt it also suggests, unsurprisingly, that Ten Hag does not believe he is ready to become a regular starter.
United are currently well-stocked in the wide areas and Marcus Rashford, who plundered 30 goals last term, is expected to continue as Ten Hag’s first-choice left-winger – and rightfully so. Garnacho is at his best playing on the left and he will have to bide his time before coming a regular starter.
That, however, is not necessarily a bad thing. Of Garnacho’s ten direct goal contributions last season, eight of them came as a substitute. He was far more effective when tasked with clambering off the bench and trying to influence a game with fresh energy against tired legs.
He scored three goals and registered five assists from the bench, opposed to scoring just twice as a starter, including his first United goal against Real Sociedad in the Europa League last November. Garnacho, who is fuelled on passion and hunger, has the ability to impact games late on, inspired by his speed and trickery, meaning Ten Hag may decide it is everyone’s best interests for him to restrict him to that role for a little while longer.
Of course, a juncture will come in Garnacho’s United career where he will expect to start week-in, week-out, but we’re not quite at that point yet. Garnacho needs to bide his time, remain patient and continue to influence games in the way that earns him the most attention.
An impact sub of his calibre can be a very useful weapon.
