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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Tyrone Marshall

Alejandro Garnacho might have three chances to be Manchester United FA Cup final surprise

As explosive as Alejandro Garnacho's return to action for Manchester United was last weekend, it was just as fascinating listening to Erik ten Hag discuss the teenage winger after he had scored his fifth goal for the club.

Garnacho was back with a bang, coming off the bench to score the second against Wolves, and Ten Hag gave a detailed answer about the 18-year-old's potential in his post-match press conference.

It was interesting not just to gauge the high regard in which he is held by United's coaching staff, but the areas of his game that need improving as well. No player at that age is the finished article, especially when playing for a club of this size.

ALSO READ: Ten Hag has a complete FA Cup final squad to work with

It's clear that Garnacho is already a major impact player at United. He can change games when he comes off the bench, with his direct running and his fearless dribbling ability, but he's also impressed from the start.

He has more to do to make that jump to starting regularly, however, and it was fascinating to hear Ten Hag deconstruct those areas that need a little more work.

"He had a big impact in many games either when he's starting or coming on. He's ready, straight into the game and that is so important for the squad that you can bring young players and I'm happy you can bring young players," he said. "Hopefully, he can progress so quickly that he can compete for a starting XI position because that is his next challenge.

"He is showing when you score some winners - Fulham - the assist against City and now the second goal, he is showing some things. Also sometimes he lacks defensive transition and pressing. He has to step up, when you are going into an action or keep the ball, so decisions. But when you see all over he is a huge talent and he is brave.

"Decisions, making decisions, scanning situations, when to go into one-on-ones, get behind, when to go for goal, when to give the extra pass or when to give the assist rather than to go for own success. Decisions like that make a good player a top player, that is the difference."

That feels particularly relevant when it comes to the game Garnacho might want to start more than any other. The FA Cup final at Wembley on June 3 against Manchester City.

Ten Hag referenced Garnacho's assist for Marcus Rashford's winner against Pep Guardiola's side at Old Trafford in January. It was an excellent piece of play, but it came as a substitute and he came on with 18 minutes to go and United losing 1-0.

Garnacho has started 10 times this season but only four of them have been in the Premier League and the most arduous opponent is probably Aston Villa away. To prove he is capable of starting against City he will need to show Ten Hag that he has worked on the defensive aspects of his game.

While the Dutchman will want to pick a team that can hurt City at Wembley, the priority on current form has to be to stop them, so he needs total buy-in from every player on the pitch. The more likely selection at the moment is taking a winger out to play Bruno Fernandes in the front three and bringing Fred into midfield.

There are three games left for Ten Hag to finalise his team for Wembley. Garnacho is unlikely to be ready to start this weekend, but he might get another chance off the bench. The focus will be on what he can do as an attacking force, but just as vital will be his contribution defensively.

Get your hands on our 48-page souvenir United v City FA Cup final print supplement by clicking here.

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