Garner spells out ambitions

Every pre-season game - including Crystal Palace (11:10 BST Tuesday 19 July) - will be shown live in our app and on ManUtd.com.

James Garner is determined to push to achieve his dream of becoming a Manchester United regular.

The midfielder has returned from an extremely successful season with Nottingham Forest and is training with the squad again after being absent for the first two matches of Tour 2022.

The England Under-21 international helped Forest gain promotion to the Premier League for the first time this century and is keen to impress new United boss Erik ten Hag.

Tuesday's meeting with Crystal Palace, live on MUTV via the United App and ManUtd.com, may provide an opportunity for him to get some minutes under his belt, and a chance to tackle top-flight opponents.

“Of course, I want to be a United player,” he told club media. “I think, even if you don't play for United, I feel it is most people's dream. That is obviously my aim this season and I’ve got to have a good pre-season and hopefully that happens.

“The future? Probably the exact same answer: to be a United player. Ever since I was a little boy, I've grown as a player and a man, [and] I feel like my whole life has been in Manchester. I’ve lived in Manchester all this time, so it's definitely something that I want to carry on with.”

Certainly, the experience gained at Forest should stand Garner in good stead for what lies ahead. “It was huge. You learn a lot out on loan,” he explained. “You learn about yourself. I’ve learnt that I felt I can compete at a high level – that's what I think I’ve learnt the most.

“For me personally, maybe playing in front of crowds [was the biggest experience]. I was on loan [the season before] last and Covid [happened] and whatnot. For me, last season, this has been something that I have had to adapt to.”

Every pre-season game - including Crystal Palace (11:10 BST Tuesday 19 July) - will be shown live in our app and on ManUtd.com.