Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho will hope that Erik ten Hag can live up to his word, after the Dutchman admitted that he will play the best players for the position regardless of age.
With an average age of 26.6, United have the eighth oldest team in the Premier League this season. Fulham have the oldest side with an average of 27.8, while league leaders Arsenal have the youngest at just 24 years of age.
As Garnacho calmly slotted the ball past past Bernd Leno on Sunday, he became the youngest player to score an injury-time winner in the league since Federico Macheda in 2009.
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The teenager sparked wild celebrations as he wheeled away in sheer delight, sending United into the World Cup break on a high. Of course Cristiano Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan has, and will continue to, cast a dark shadow over the club - but no matter how wild this week has been, that moment will never be taken away from Garnacho.
The hope for the Argentine will now be that Ten Hag is left to sit and reflect for the World Cup break with his stoppage-time winner etched into his manager's mind.
The 18-year-old has now scored in the Premier League and Europa League, as well as notched two assists in the Carabao Cup during the 292 minutes he has played with the senior squad this term. That averages a goal or an assist every 73 minutes when playing for Ten Hag's side - a return that most elite players would be envious of.
Although he is still just a teenager, it is getting harder to look past Garnacho for a starting role in this United side. His age certainly should not be a barrier, as Ten Hag has gone on the record to say if a player is good enough, they are old enough.
Speaking during his time at Ajax, he said: “But no one is, [a guaranteed starter] in my book. And I told them this. There is a hierarchy, yes, but whether you’re 19 or 29, you play when you’re the best for the position.”
The World Cup break will no doubt punctuate the momentum that Garnacho was building over the last few weeks, yet the winger will be desperate to be given a chance to shine from the outset in December. If Ten Hag is brave enough to show faith in his youngster, he may well be rewarded.
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