Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata predicted that teammate James Garner would become a ‘very, very good midfielder’ even before his first loan spell away from the club.
The 21-year-old has spent the last 18 months on loan with Nottingham Forest, playing a big part in the club’s promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years. Garner played the crucial ball into the box which led to Levi Colwill putting it into his own net for the only goal of the game in the weekend’s play-off final.
Before arriving at the City Ground on a temporary deal, Garner spent six months on loan with Watford, playing 21 times for the Hornets. It was before that first loan deal that Mata predicted big things for the midfielder, who he had taken under his wing.
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“I always thought he is one of the players who, if he keeps going and keeps improving, in the way he was doing in the Academy, he can be a very, very good midfielder,” Mata told Manchester United’s official website back in November 2020.
"I really like him; the way he plays on the ball, his cleverness, his way of looking forward, looking for a pass and also his attitude off the ball. So, whenever he was here, I always tried to encourage him and said what I believed he could be as a player.
"I always tried to motivate him and give him confidence as I think, when you’re that age, you need confidence and trust - not only from the manager but also from your team-mates.”
Forest will be keen on securing another deal for the midfielder this summer as they look to build a team capable of competing in the Premier League next season. The Reds, however, could face competition from other clubs who are said to be showing an interest, including Leicester City and Southampton.
Reports in Manchester suggest that new Red Devils’ boss Erik ten Hag is keen on assessing Garner during pre-season before making a decision over his future in the upcoming season. That means any potential deal may have to wait until later in the transfer window.
