Erik ten Hag has urged Alejandro Garnacho to keep his focus during the upcoming break as he warned the Manchester United winger against any change in his attitude.
Garnacho has become increasingly involved in the United first team in recent weeks, coming off the bench to provide two assists in the Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa before scoring with the final kick of the match to seal a dramatic win over Fulham.
Bruno Fernandes recently claimed that Garnacho had an attitude problem in pre-season on the tour to Australia, suggesting that was the reason behind the 18-year-old having to wait for his chance in Ten Hag’s side.
The teenager will not be involved at the World Cup with Argentina and so now has a break until United return to action on December 21, at home to Burnley in the Carabao Cup.
However, Ten Hag has called on Garnacho to not let the upcoming period stall his progress, insisting the teenager still has plenty to improve on if he’s to live up to his potential.
“This shows what talent can do but it is still a long way to go,” Ten Hag said.
“He has to keep his feet on the ground. He has to do much more investment. Big players know that, young players don’t know.
“Now it’s a four-week break, that’s already a danger for him, because he now has momentum. Let’s see how he’s coming back. We have to manage that with him. His attitude is good and I’m certain he will have an impact.
“The danger is four weeks, no games, lose focus, less investment. It’s only when he stays on the same attitude that he’s working the last three, four or five weeks the process will keep going and his progress will keep going. If not, it goes the other way around.”
