Blog

• Teenager Alejandro Garnacho enjoys a great year at Manchester United
• But coach Erik ten Hag is still not completely convinced by the 18-year-old’s attitude.
• He has questioned the winger’s behavior in press conferences this season

Manchester United know all about the raw ability and potential of Alejandro Garnacho. There has been talk of a new contract for almost a year.

The Red Devils have a rich history of talented young wingers, with Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and, most recently, Marcus Rashford exploding out of the academy, and since Garnacho’s dazzling brace in the second half of the FA Youth Final Cup last May, the teenager has identified as a valuable asset for the future.

But finding Garnacho the right deal, one that will reward his exceptional ability while keeping him grounded, is important, and it’s no wonder United are fretting over the terms of his contract.

If Erik ten Hag has made one thing crystal clear since his arrival at Old Trafford last summer, it’s that attitude is the cornerstone of success.

The nature of Ralf Rangnick’s temporary appointment last season almost encouraged the players to relax their discipline, like school-age children under the supervision of a substitute teacher. And since then, the Dutchman has worked hard to restore order in the dressing room.

Old Trafford bosses rightly backed Ten Hag after last November’s explosive and damning Cristiano Ronaldo interview, cutting ties with the Portuguese superstar ahead of the World Cup, and his vote of confidence has already been rewarded with silver.

Showing that no individual is greater than the team, Ten Hag made an example of Ronaldo because the striker’s attitude did not meet the required standard.

Shortly after the Premier League restart, the disciplinarian sidelined his star man Rashford after he overslept and missed a team meeting. Publicly agreeing to the punishment, Rashford respected the Dutchman’s decision and has blossomed as one of Ten Hag’s favourites, scoring 18 goals in 25 games in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Garnacho’s attitude has been regularly criticized by the Manchester United manager, who is in the habit of bringing the 18-year-old back down to earth after each of his impressive displays.

A week after Garnacho’s promising full-fledged debut against FC Sheriff in the Europa League last November, the 53-year-old gave him another chance against Real Sociedad. However, he hinted that the winger’s attitude had been lacking behind the scenes.

“We have additional options in the front row with Garnacho, he is developing very well,” he said after the youngster scored United’s 1-0 winner. I hope he can keep that attitude like now. When he’s reliable, you see he’s a threat, he can create, he can give final passes and he can score goals, so it’s a good process.”

Later that month, after Garnacho’s fruitful second-half cameo inspired United to a 4–2 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup, Ten Hag said: “It was good that he came in and showed that performance and had that impact on the game.” , to be able to assist, do the dribbles and run behind.

He still has things to learn, but obviously we are happy with his development and he can contribute to the team.

It depends on your approach, your attitude. When he keeps working then it is possible (to play more). He wants to improve every day. He has to do the right things in his lifestyle. He has the ability.

The coach immediately noticed Garnacho’s bad attitude after his promotion to the senior team last summer. Late in two preseason games, the Argentine did not play a single game during the Red Devils’ tour of Thailand and Australia.

Before leaving, Ten Hag also warned the teenager about his appearance in and around the training ground, as he was frequently seen in Carrington with his socks down and shoelaces untied.

Since then, the coach has pointed out, albeit doubtfully, that Garnacho’s attitude has improved since the turn of the year, despite the fact that he continues to generate controversy both on and off the pitch.

The Madrid-born star angered Barcelona players and fans last month after he appeared to taunt Pedri with a post-match celebration following United’s 4-3 aggregate win over the Spanish side in the Europa League. .

After imitating the injured midfielder’s trademark goggle celebration, and subsequently posting a photo of himself doing so on social media with the caption: “Great team advanced to the next round,” Garnacho was criticized by the Spanish media and has since been called by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.

The center-back warned that without modesty and humility it is difficult for young players to go far in football.

I respect everyone and feel that humility is above all. Everyone expresses himself as he wants, but I prefer to keep a low profile and then show what I do on the pitch,’ Araujo told Infobae when asked about the young man’s celebration earlier this month.

This is football, he is very young and still has a long way to go. You have to go calmly and humbly.

Now injured, having torn ankle ligaments in United’s 0-0 draw against Southampton earlier this month, Garnacho was set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, out of sight and out of the headlines.

But in the modern world of social media, which plagues strict coaches like Ten Hag, young players are a button away from the spotlight, and Garnacho found himself in trouble again from the comfort of his own home.

After taking to Instagram to wish United luck in the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham last weekend, the star quickly deleted his post before uploading a nearly identical rebuttal, realizing he had initially exposed what it appeared to be an illegal vaporizer on his couch.

A source close to Garnacho suggested to sports mail on Monday that the vaporizer, a green ‘Elux Legend 3500’ that is five times larger than the UK legal size, was not his and instead belonged to a family member.

The post, which remained live on Garnacho’s feed for several minutes before being hastily deleted, was spotted by eagle-eyed fans and will no doubt have caught the attention of Ten Hag.

If Garnacho continues to pester Ten Hag with his poor discipline, his playtime may drop rather quickly. A permanent move from Old Trafford is certainly off the table given his astronomical potential, but the club may be tempted to send the teenager out on loan, especially if Ten Hag wants his unpredictable personality out of the dressing room on a temporary basis.

Garnacho will feel that his best chance of earning a regular place in the first team is to stay, just as Rashford did in his youth. Competing against big-money signings Jadon Sancho and Antony for a place on the flanks, the winger could easily find himself outmatched if he fails to win over the boss in the long run.