Erik ten Hag has told Alejandro Garnacho that the demands on him will be "higher" after he penned a new deal at Manchester United.
The Argentine has risen through the ranks and continued to show his class this term in a competitive attacking set-up. Garnacho has won the trust of Ten Hag having come up with big moments through the season, including a late winner at Fulham back in November.
United's manager now wants Garnacho, who has scored four times this term, to go up a level once again and become a regular in the starting XI despite the presence of the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and co - whilst a new No 9 in on their summer shopping list.
Ten Hag said: “First of all, I think he has the prize and it’s a prize. He also shows he can make the final step – not only in talent but also, he made it. But now it’s a new start, a restart, because now the expectations will be higher, the demands definitely will be higher.
“He is on his way, he is a strong character and that’s why he’s there in the moment on this level, and he did it by himself. But now is coming more work to go because the demands are higher, we expect more from him. But it’s great he made it because it tells we will give young players opportunities, but they have to deserve it.
“When I say ‘give’, translate it to ‘deserve’ and they have to deserve with their feet, they have to show it on the pitch and that means you have to invest a lot and deserve it by training performances, by performance in the under-21s, then wait for your moment and prove it again.
“For Alejandro, he is that step beyond but now the demands will be even more because he has now to compete for a starting XI position. So, every time is the same: you have to cross limits and every time you have to go in the next level. We go with him in that challenge but most important is the player has to do it.”
Garnacho's new deal ties him down at Old Trafford until 2028 and will see the 18-year-old continue his development at Carrington. He was handed his debut last season and has continued to enjoy sporadic opportunities this term with 19 of his 29 outings coming as a sub.
The Argentine said: “When I joined this incredible club, I dreamt of achieving my debut, playing at Old Trafford, scoring my first goal and winning trophies with this badge on my chest. I feel very proud and emotional to have experienced these moments already, together with my family who have supported me every step of the way.
