Manchester United Manager Erik ten Haag believes Alejandro GarnachoThe ability to take on players is a rare quality Premier League.
Garnacho, 18, has started to impress in games for the senior side as the former Atlético Madrid starlet has started to impress during his breakthrough season at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag turned to the winger in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to rivals United Manchester City And Garnacho did not disappoint.
The teenager showed his skills by beating Nathan AK With a piece of trick before passing the ball Marcus Rashford To set up United’s winner.
Garnacho has made a big impression which is pleasing to his manager.
Ten Hague, speaking ahead of United’s Premier League match Crystal Palace Wednesday, said: “He has a skill that I don’t see in many players in the Premier League – he beats players one by one.
“He has learned in the last months how to play in a team, how to survive, how to do the right things during the week, how to have the right attitude on the training ground and you see how he is performing as a team player. His individual skills can make the difference.
“For him it’s also about continuing in the process. It’s not over. There’s a lot to come. He has a lot of room for improvement but he can help, he can already contribute at a high level and I’m really happy.
“It’s a bonus for us as a club that you bring in young players and they can come into the team and not just in the team and I think that’s part of our project that should contribute to our success.”
Luke Shaw Ten is another player who has impressed at The Hague in recent weeks following his performances at both centre-back and left-back.
Shaw has impressed at Ten Hag as a center back and left back (Photo: Getty Images)
Shaw helped tie it up Erling Haaland Against City in his fourth game as a centre-back.
“I like that he is very honest,” Ten Haag added. “After the second game he didn’t play and said: ‘I understand completely, my performance is not right’. But from the first day of training in the pre-season he was working really hard and you can see when he has the right approach he is a top player.
“I don’t mean just as a team player, he’s a leader. He’s shown a lot of leadership skills — he’s an example at the moment — and he brings a lot to the team with his skills and his physical strength. But now with his mentality as well. He’s a big game. Winning is an example. I’m really happy with his development. I think it’s been great either at center half or at left full back, he’s a great player and a great personality for the dressing room.
“It was a big decision (to play Shaw at centre-back against City) but I think when you analyze the profile of Haaland and the combination with (Kevin) De Bruyne it was also the right decision because Luke has the physical strength to compete with them. The right decision to play with them and in that position. And there is also a strategic approach to acquiring technical skills.
“I think (against City) it matches really well but I think in other games he can contribute more from the left in wide positions so it’s a tactical choice and we can see from game to game what we need. And I think we have that in our squad. There are many players who have the ability to be multi-functional and we can use that as a weapon in games.”
United will move into second place in the Premier League if they beat Palace at Selhurst Park.
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Garnacho cemented his reputation as Manchester United’s next great hope
(Photo: Getty Images)
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