Bruno Fernandes has revealed attitude issues prevented Alejandro Garnacho from being given the chance to make his mark at Manchester United - until now.
The 18-year-old winger scored his first goal for the club against Real Sociedad in the Europa League during only his second start under Erik ten Hag.
According to Fernandes, Garnacho would have been in the United team sooner had he not shown a poor attitude during pre-season.
He told BT Sport: “He was good but he knows we expect a lot from him. He’s still really young, doing really well.
“At the beginning of the season, he was not at his best. On the [pre-season] tour he did not have the best attitude. That’s why he didn’t get his chance until now.
Cristiano Ronaldo 🤝 Alejandro Garnacho
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 3, 2022
What a way to score your first Manchester United goal... keep an eye on this youngster! 🤩#UEL pic.twitter.com/WRekZ9V2Bw
“He’s getting his chances because he’s training better, he’s having the correct attitude.”
Former United star Paul Scholes asserted that a summer call-up to the Argentina national team alongside Lionel Messi may have disrupted Garnacho’s mentality.
“He was obviously a little bit big for his boots in the summer, maybe a little above his station,” said Scholes.
“I think he’d been away with Argentina, playing with Messi. Maybe he thought he’s coming back as part of the team but he’s a young lad, he’s going to learn.
“His attitude has changed and we’re seeing the benefits of that. He’s a really top class young player with a long way to go. He was really good last week, scored a really good goal tonight. It seems like he’s got over it.”
