Ten Hag: Everyone likes Garnacho
Erik ten Hag says that fans, players and he and his coaching staff are all big fans of Alejandro Garnacho, as he hopes the youngster can continue to develop further.
Chants of ‘Viva Garnacho’ rang out around Old Trafford after the exciting Argentinian opened the scoring in our Carabao Cup triumph against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
Garnacho converted from Diogo Dalot’s low cross in the first half to set us on our way to a convincing 3-0 win over Roy Hodgson’s side – with Casemiro and Anthony Martial also getting on the scoresheet in M16.
Our no.17 started the Reds’ opening two matches of the season, but his three latest appearances - prior to the Palace clash - had all come from the bench.
Ten Hag's press conference
In his post-match press conference, Erik discusses Garnacho, Mount, Amrabat and more...
The youngster was an unused substitute against Burnley at the weekend and, when asked in his post-match press conference how Garnacho can progress to being a regular, Ten Hag explained that he wants to see more from the 19-year-old.
"You have seen in the start of the season, we played him, then his contribution was not good enough," said the boss.
"But he had also then some good actions. You see always that he always is attracting the game even when he is not playing that well.
"And he has to learn, ‘When I do my job in defending, I will always have my moment.’
"And he will always be decisive, because he has great qualities."
Garnacho's standout moments
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Ten Hag elaborated to say that it is not just off-the-ball actions that he wants to see Garnacho to develop, with the Dutchman encouraged by the potential he sees in the young forward’s game already.
"As well, it’s not only off the ball, no," he added.
"But also I want to see, like today, he’s entering the box, he was on the right spot to finish.
Full 90: United v Crystal Palace
Watch the full match replay from our Carabao Cup Third Round tie against the Eagles...
"But I think it’s quite normal, for a player of his age, that there is space for a lot of improvement.
"I think everyone likes him, the fans like him, the team like him, I like him, but also we have to demand him and we have to push him, because he can act on a very high level but he has to show it every day."