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.
