The transfer window is still a couple of months away from flinging open but Manchester United have already made the perfect start.
Though Thursday ended in disappointment after Erik ten Hag's side threw away a two-goal lead and the chance to all but secure a return to the Champions League against Tottenham, Friday brought much happier news. It all centred on Alejandro Garnacho.
Firstly, the United boss confirmed that the club wouldn't be allowing the teenager to represent Argentina at the upcoming Under-20 World Cup which would have seen him miss out on up to three Premier League matches and the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Additionally, he's also on the mend after a seven-week lay-off with an ankle injury and isn't far away from making his comeback.
READ MORE: United get Garnacho double boost
"No, we don’t release him," Ten Hag said. "He will return tomorrow in team training, partially. Then we will have to see when he can return totally in the training, and back into games."
That double boost would have been more than enough to wash away some of the bitter taste of Thursday's draw but things got even better just a few hours later. Out of nowhere, it was announced the Argentine live-wire had put pen to paper on a new long-term contract which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2028.
"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," Garnacho said. "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.
"We are all humbled to have this chance to continue our journey at Manchester United and I have already begun to work on achieving the next set of targets and ambitions.
"The manager and his coaching staff have helped me to improve in every way, and with their support, I am developing each day to help the team to be successful. I am relishing the future and can’t wait to create more special memories with this group, in front of our amazing supporters."
Securing Garnacho's future is a massive win for United and a justifiable reason for celebration. The winger is still raw but that's what has made him so thrilling to watch upon his breakthrough into the first team. He has brought exciting directness and youthful bravery to the attack while making several key contributions.
Garnacho has best been used as an impact sub as he's struggled to replicate the game-changing impacts he brings off the bench from the start but that can be expected for an 18-year-old who has just a handful of senior appearances under his belt. The potential is obvious and as such it hasn't gone unnoticed.
There have been growing rumours throughout the year that Real Madrid were keen to bring the hometown boy back to the Spanish capital. United know all too well how hard it can be to get a player to stay once Los Blancos come calling as the allure of playing at the Bernabeu is often too much to resist.
With Garnacho's previous deal only set to run to 2024, there was great anxiety that United could lose one of their most promising starlets before he even got to make a proper impact at the club. So to get him tied down and ward off the prowling Spaniards sends a statement. It shows United are invested in their future and it proves young players are behind Ten Hag.
Having Garnacho's future secured already means the transfer window has gotten off to a great start but United must now continue to build upon it. A new contract for Marcus Rashford has to be the next priority, as well as Diogo Dalot and David de Gea.
Decisions will need to be made swiftly on the futures of Victor Lindelof, Fred, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Anthony Martial who are all approaching the final year of their contracts. Additionally, it must also be decided if the club want to bring Wout Weghorst or Marcel Sabitzer back permanently.
If all those tasks can be sorted before the window opens it will allow United to focus all their energy on the window itself. A hunt for a striker, hopefully Harry Kane, is the biggest priority but a midfielder, right-back, centre-back and goalkeeper are all needed as well.
It's going to be an exciting but difficult summer so it's great United have already gotten off on the right foot. Now they must capitalise on it.
READ NEXT:
