James Garner has done himself no harm at all when it comes to trying to break into the Manchester United first team next season.
The midfielder is currently excelling out on loan at Nottingham Forest. It is the second time he has been borrowed by the Reds but his latest stint in the East Midlands has seen him ratchet his performances up a few notches. He has added goals and assists to his game and has been a crucial cog in Forest's transformation from relegation fodder to genuine promotion candidates.
He will be hoping he can finish his latest spell with Steve Cooper's side on a high, with promotion from the Championship. The big question after this season is where Garner will be next term.
The waters at his parent club have been muddied following the official announcement of Erik ten Hag's impending appointment.
Add in the highly probable departure of Paul Pogba after six uninspiring years at the club and it could be the perfect chance for Garner to make his mark. Speaking in past interviews, the 21-year-old has made no secret of his desire to break into the United first team. He has worked his way up through the age groups since joining the club's under-8s age group and he is fully determined to pull on the famous red shirt on a regular basis.
Last summer, prior to being sent back out on loan to the City Ground, United tied him down to a fresh contract that runs until 2024 with a further year's option.
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Garner said at the time: "My ambitions are obviously to become a first-team player here. I know exactly what it takes, I’m ready to go and showcase my ability to everyone and keep on striving for all my goals. Signing this new contract shows the faith that the club has in me, it gives me extra motivation and means so much for me and my family.
"I want to be a big player for this club one day, that is my ultimate aim and I’ll be working every day to make that happen."
His form at Forest this season, initially under Chris Hughton, made that ambition look a long way off. Granted, he wasn't on his own but even Garner would admit his output was below-par.
But ever since former Swansea boss Cooper arrived in September the midfielder has shifted through the gears.
Four goals and six assists only tell part of the story in terms of how important Garner has been this term. His general impact on games has been felt more, in a system that is easy on the eye. Speaking of the importance of his latest Forest spell, Garner recently said: "I think it's helped me massively. I don't think I would be where I am at this stage right now if I was still playing with the under-23s back at United. It has helped me massively to develop as a player. It's developed a whole different side of my game which I didn't think I needed if that makes sense.
The Championship is a hard, hard league, it's aggressive and you've got to have all the basic fundamentals before you can then bring out your talent."
If you are still to be convinced of Garner's potential to slot into the first team at United, then surely a ringing endorsement from Bruno Fernandes should convince you. Fernandes, fresh from signing a bumper new deal earlier this month, was asked during a Twitter Q&A which academy player he was most looking forward to playing alongside to which he responded by answering Garner.
It is not the first name check from the Portuguese either. Earlier this season he said: "Jimmy Garner, I think is a really good player. I really like him and the way he kicks the ball. He’s really aggressive off the ball too.”
Ten Hag's in-tray is already bulging and he hasn't even checked in at Old Trafford yet. But Garner's development over the past six months certainly bodes well for the incoming boss.
