Erik ten Hag challenged Alejandro Garnacho to become a starter at Man United; he’s now become one

Towards the end of last season, as Alejandro Garnacho returned from a two-month injury break, Man United manager Erik ten Hag could be heard full of praises for the young Argentine.

When asked at the time about what he expected of his starlet, the Dutchman challenged him to nail down for himself a starting spot in a not-too-distant future.

“I’m happy we can bring in young players and, hopefully, he [Garnacho] will progress so quickly that he can compete for a starting XI position, because that is his next challenge.”

Ten Hag, as quoted by the official Man United website

And the now Argentina international has gone on to do just that. In a season where United have struggled to find any ray of hope, the 19-year-old’s individual performances have inspired the Old Trafford faithful to look towards the coming seasons with some degree of excitement.

Garnacho recently posted a story on Instagram to acknowledge the two-year anniversary of his senior United debut, which he was handed by Ralf Rangnick.

Garnacho needs to be nurtured and protected

This season, by virtue of the growth he has demonstrated with his performances, Garnacho is already one of United’s better wingers on either flank.

Not only is he able to carry out the off-ball duties, his ability to charge at the opposition with the ball at his feet usually results in a chance for either himself or one of his teammates, not to mention that his finishing ability has gone up a few levels as well.

No doubt, United have on their hands another veritable talent who has managed to make the transition from youth to senior football seamlessly. And given the performances of his peers this season, it’s hard not to put him in the starting XI right away.

If Garnacho’s current trajectory is anything to go by, he will be United’s starter on the left flank next season, ready to wreak havoc on opposition defences.

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As they enter a new dawn, it is incumbent upon the club to not only nurture this young talent but also protect him by making sure he doesn’t end up playing too much football and fall victim to burnouts and stress at such a tender age.