Garnacho is Premier League's top teenager

The United winger has started every match since coming off the bench in the Manchester derby in October and, since he switched to the right flank on Boxing Day, the Reds have won seven of nine fixtures across all competitions.

Such versatility has helped the youngster's cause and manager Erik ten Hag commented: “Garnacho is right-footed. He’s very good with left, but also functions with his right. So Alejandro, so natural, he prefers to play on the left as well.

"But now, he finds his position on the right as well, which he’s doing very good and also quite fluid. He finds his spaces there but, yeah, he can do both, which is great."

The FA Youth Cup winner does not turn 20 until July but has already become a regular and, of course, scored what looks certain to be the Goal of the Season with his acrobatic effort at Everton in November.

Developing his game all the time, the Argentina international is performing his defensive duties and showing remarkable stamina.

It has arguably been overlooked just how much of a mainstay he has become at a tender age.

When it comes to minutes played as a teen this term, he is way ahead of second-placed Evan Ferguson, the Brighton & Hove Albion striker. It is interesting to note that Kobbie Mainoo is also moving rapidly up the chart and currently sits in seventh spot, only one minute behind another Seagulls starlet in Jack Hinshelwood.

MOST MINS PLAYED AS TEENAGER 2023/24

1. Alejandro Garnacho - UNITED (1.7.04) - 1,525
2. Evan Ferguson - Brighton (19.10.04) - 1,143
3. Lewis Miley - Newcastle (1.5.06) - 1,089
4. Wilson Odobert - Burnley (28.11.04) - 994
5. Lucas Koleosho - Burnley (15.9.04) - 987
6. Jack Hinshelwood - Brighton (11.4.05) - 875
7. Kobbie Mainoo - UNITED (19.4.05) - 874
8. Milos Kerkez - Bournemouth (7.11.03) - 856
9. Facundo Bounanotte - Brighton (23.12.04) - 847
10. Carlos Baleba - Brighton (3.1.04) - 601

(Premier League only, stats courtesy of Transfermarkt.co.uk)