James Garner wants to impress in pre-season at Manchester United
Speaking in an interview as quoted by Manchester Evening News, talented Manchester United starlet James Garner is determined to prove his worth and impress Erik ten Hag during the pre-season with the Red Devils.
A product of Manchester United’s famed academy, Garner has been on the books of the English club since 2017 and progressed through the ranks impressing at all levels. This season, the talented midfielder was loaned out to Nottingham Forest.
To say that the English starlet has impressed during his time at Forest would be an understatement. The 21-year-old midfielder has played 49 times this season scoring four goals and providing 10 assists across all competitions.
Speaking about his future with Manchester United, James Garner is confident of impressing new boss Erik ten Hag
“That’s what I’d like to do; go on pre-season and impress, it’s all up to me, really. It’s down to me as a player to impress him and hopefully make a mark.”
The youngster believes he is ready to compete physically and is a better player than he was before. It could all be put to test next season, should he be called up for the senior side.
“I think I’ve shown I’m physically ready to play and, like I said, felt like I’ve come on leaps and bounds.”
First team role?
That James Garner has the talent to succeed at a club of Manchester United’s stature is no surprise but whether it is now or in the future needs to be seen.
Ideally, it might seem like it is impossible for Garner to have a first-team role with the Red Devils next season but there could be a slight chance that he could. A host of midfielders have left the club and we haven’t signed anyone yet.
Whilst Fred and Scott Mctominay will remain at the club, it’s a new manager and we still don’t know how much Erik ten Hag trusts either player. Donny van de Beek is one player who is undoubtedly going to have the trust of a manager he thrived under at Amsterdam.
If Manchester United fail in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong, it would leave them extremely short of options in midfield. All factors considered, if James Garner is given a chance in pre-season and impresses, don’t count against him featuring in ten Hag’s plans for next season.
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For a manager who is known to give youngsters a chance in his teams, James Garner might have a very slight window of opportunity to nail down a first-team role next season. If he can take it, it would do the world of good for the talented Englishman.
