Alejandro Garnacho is a surprise starter for Manchester United vs FC Sheriff.
Forward Garnacho has been named in Erik ten Hag's starting line-up for the Europa League clash at Old Trafford. He has been named in the United match squad regularly this season and fans of the Manchester club have been excited by his progress this campaign.
Last season, at just 17 years of age, Garnacho won the FA Youth Cup and managed to break into the U23s side. Back in March, Garnacho trained alongside Lionel Messi after receiving a shock call-up to the Argentina national team before making a first-team appearance for the Reds.
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Despite his international allegiance, Garnacho, now 18, has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo in the manner of his performances. This comparison was furthered when he signed a deal with Nike, emulating the United great.
Madrid-born Garnacho made his way to the forefront for most United fans thanks to his exploits in their run to the FA Youth Cup final. United have tried their best to protect the teenager from the limelight to allow him to grow as a player since he joined from Atletico Madrid in 2020.
Former U23s manager Neil Wood said last season: "He’s had some great experiences lately, one or two days training with the first team, he’s been away with the national team and the Under-20s, he’s had some really good experiences over the last two weeks. When he’s running at players he’s a threat, he’s the type of player who gets the crowd excited, he’s a dribbler, he likes to run at players, but he’s got a lot of improving and developing to do.
"I think you can see on Friday, that he’s got to get better with his end products, get his shots on target and get the final ball for the assist. He’s got to arrive there and on Friday it wasn’t."
He may be a rough diamond but United fans should expect to see an awful lot more of him in the years to come.
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