Six Ten Hag quotes to sum up Garnacho's season

The 18-year-old was already a Manchester United first-team player and had thrust himself into the limelight through his performances in our successful FA Youth Cup campaign in 2021/22.

But, under Erik ten Hag, our no.49 reached a different level and ended the term as one of our most impressive and productive attacking performers.

Here, using quotes from Ten Hag, we sum up Garnacho’s season…

Alejandro travelled with the squad on our pre-season tour, but found his appearances limited in the opening stages of 2022/23. That all changed in the autumn when an electric full debut against Sheriff Tiraspol paved the way for a couple of matchwinning performances. Still, Erik was keen to keep Garna grounded…

“When he keeps working, keeps this attitude, yes, then it is possible [he will feature more often]. If he keeps his attitude and works every day and doing the right things in his lifestyle, yeah then it is possible, because, you see he has great capabilities that contribute to attacking football. And he has something that can break open a really compact defending line.”

Garnacho was now a dangerous attacking option for the Reds post-World Cup, particularly off the bench. He helped spark a Manchester derby turnaround in January, setting up the winner for Marcus Rashford, and Erik pointed out his new-found selflessness…

“He learned in the last months how to play in the team and how to live and do the right things in the week, and how to have the right attitude on the training ground. You can see how he is acting as a team player, but his individual skills can make the difference. Also, for him, it’s to keep going in the process, it’s not done as there is a lot to come and a lot more room for improvement for him, but he can help contribute on the highest level.”

Garna had a watching brief at Wembley as we lifted the Carabao Cup, but he was the MVP days later, scoring a late goal to help win a tricky FA Cup tie against West Ham. Erik was glad of the energy as his side rolled with the punches…

“This is one of his skills, but definitely it’s a great skill when you’re fearless, when you’re brave. It’s a skill so specific there are not so many players in world football who can take players on or are capable, they just go play and just outplay and out-dribble them. And that skill, he has. But he has more skills than only that, for example, finishing. But also, I see he has big energy, he is fast, he has speed, but he can keep running, for 90 minutes, for 120 minutes, it doesn’t matter how long, he can do it.”

Alejandro suffered the first real setback of his United career in March, sustaining a nasty ankle injury which would prevent him making his Argentina debut. Ten Hag was still optimistic he could return and make an impact…

“Of course, it's difficult. He makes great progression and he was selected by the national team [Argentina]. It was a big moment for him and he's in a really good development and you don't want to disturb that process. Now we have to step away from it but he will be back for the end of the season. So, what he has to do now is deal with it, deal with the setback and then work, invest to get back before the end of the season because [at the] end of the season, we can win a lot. So, he has to be ready to get back as soon as possible.”

The teenage forward was rewarded for his stellar season in April, as he put pen-to-paper on a new deal keeping him at Old Trafford until at least 2028. Here’s a snippet of the lengthy speech Erik gave to his proud family…

“He is improving and he has improved a lot. That is why we are now here and he deserves this, a new contract. It is deserved by his performance and he has fought his way into the team. So, it was a huge step and he did magnificently. Now, I hope and I think this new contract is an inspiration and a motivation to do even better. Because it is a big step and, today, you deserve it.”

After defeats to Brighton and West Ham, United’s run-in started to look a little hair-raising. Garna returned for a key home clash with Wolves, scoring a late clincher off the bench. Still, Ten Hag had another challenge for the Argentina Under-20 international, as we all start to look ahead to 2023/24…

“Garna, everyone can see it. He came in and did almost everything good, and scored a great goal that will give him belief. It’s good for us for the rest of the season, that he’s back, and can have an impact. Once again, he did it. He has had a big impact in many games: whether starting or coming on, he’s straight into the game and that’s so important for the squad. I’m happy we can bring in young players and, hopefully, he will progress so quickly that he can compete for a starting XI position, because that is his next challenge.”

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