Manchester United’s Argentinian wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho caught the eye with a superb performance in his first start of the season, a 3-0 Europa League victory against Sheriff Tiraspol.
With qualification already secured for the Europa League knockout stages, United boss Erik ten Hag called upon the 18-year-old winger in a strong line-up that also featured Cristiano Ronaldo and Antony.
United legend Paul Scholes was less than impressed with a bit of skill from Antony, which dominated the post-match headlines, but he was bowled over by the performance from Carrington’s latest rising star.
He was exceptional, he had real quality,” Scholes told BT Sport.
“The thing I liked about him: he was direct, he ran at defenders all the time. Tricks that had a bit of function, he had everything, it was just missing a goal or an assist.
“This club loves entertainers. He was like a young Cristiano, taking the ball down. I was impressed. Sometimes, wingers, sometimes they can’t go down that left hand side, but he could do both, and it makes you so unpredictable.
“I think his performance was exciting for an 18-year-old kid but he was one to look for the future.”
Garnacho has been talked up as the next big thing and it’s not difficult to see why. This was only his fourth senior appearance of the 2022-23 campaign, but he took the opportunity with both hands, shining on the left side of attack and demonstrating he has the ability to make an impact for Ten Hag’s Red Devils this season.
“Yes, that is why he gets the opportunity,” Ten Hag responded, when asked if Garnacho’s been impressing in training.
“He deserves it. He has some X factor, like runs in behind, like dribbles, like finishing. I’m really wondering and hope he can do it tonight.
“Then we have a front three with Cristiano and Antony, all have opportunities, they have the skills, to run behind, to create, to have dribbles, to have combinations in tight areas. It’s what we expect from them; they create opportunities and create goals.”
The Manchester United manager was then asked about the valuable learning experience of playing alongside an all-time great like Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Ah but this pitch is not for learning,” Ten Hag responded.
“This pitch is that they have to deliver and they have to be aware of that. So it’s not that I put him up for a learning moment. He has the capabilities to show it.”
Garnacho certainly showed those capabilities against Sheriff. It took just 13 minutes for him to wow the crowd, nearly assisting for Ronaldo after a sumptuous dribble into the box.
