Alejandro Garnacho is the youngest player on Manchester United’s pre-season tour having only turned 18 at the start of the month.
But if he has lofty ambitions, the teenager will still be concerned about having not played a single minute under Erik ten Hag this summer. He’s watched from the sidelines as academy colleagues Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage have enjoyed fruitful outings.
Even Hannibal Mejbri got onto the pitch in their last match against Crystal Palace. Of those in the current United tour squad, only Garnacho, James Garner - who’s had injury concerns - and goalkeepers Matej Kovar and Nathan Bishop are yet to get minutes.
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Will Fish - who replaced Axel Tuanzebe after the defender left the tour - managed to get an outing despite not being a part of the original squad, albeit it ended early with a red card. Big hopes had been placed on Garnacho.
The Argentine earned his first two senior appearances under Ralf Rangnick last season and memorably lifted the FA Youth Cup at Old Trafford with a double in the final. But he may be concerned by his manager’s warning in Friday’s press conference.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s friendly with Aston Villa, Ten Hag said: "We have experienced players, but we also wanted to give some young talents the chance.
“I can not give all the young players the chances they deserve because we have to construct a team." The Dutchman has frequently used Iqbal and Savage this summer, but has not shown the same approach to Garnacho.
It will be tough for young players to edge their way into the first-team squad as it is, never mind having had no game time to show their worth. The fact will be, if Garnacho does not play at all this pre-season, he almost definitely will not feature in Ten Hag’s squad next term.
And even if he does, he must excel in his cameos and prove to his new boss that he is ready no matter the circumstance or play time. There is still time, but it’s running out.
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