Thursday night's 1-0 Europa League win over Real Sociedad is unlikely to be an occasion that Alejandro Garnacho ever forgets.
The Manchester United youngster, fresh from wowing the Old Trafford faithful just one week earlier against Sheriff Tiraspol, marked just his second start for the club with a goal, netting the winner to help the Reds extend their winning run to three matches. Latching onto Cristiano Ronaldo's excellent pass, the Argentine finished like a seasoned striker, not like an 18-year-old that was making just his seventh appearance of his senior career.
Although his well-taken goal was not enough to propel United to the top of Group E and secure an automatic route to the last-16 of the Europa League, it was probably enough to raise his position in the pecking order, as far as the Reds' wide options are concerned. Manager Erik ten Hag was starved of three attacking players in Spain, being forced to leave Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Antony at home because of illness and injury issues.
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Deploying his trademark 4-3-3, Ten Hag could have, however, still chosen from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga, although Garnacho, following his performance against Sheriff a week earlier, was always likely to get the nod once again on the left. Rashford and Elanga were named on the bench, with Bruno Fernandes asked to move out to the right-flank.
Although Fernandes' position change paved the way for Donny van de Beek to come into the side and get some valuable minutes under his belt, he never once looked as threatening as he does in the middle. It was a decision that backfired, meaning Ten Hag might have been safer selecting one of his two natural wide players who he had named on the bench.
Ten Hag confirmed that he made the decision to start Rashford on the bench as a precautionary measure, pointing to the recent volume of games and the fact that the England international had been sidelined with an injury not all that long ago. But his decision to overlook Elanga, just four days after he was awarded a rare Premier League start, was telling.
The Swede, who was one of very few positives for United last season, struggled to impose himself against the Hammers and was hooked just past the hour mark, being replaced by Scott McTominay. As poor as he was against David Moyes' side, his omission against Sociedad, in a game that United needed to win by two clear goals to top the group, was significant, particularly with Antony, Sancho and Martial, all of whom can play out wide, unavailable.
As the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark in San Sebastian, and with United still needing another goal to win the group, Ten Hag ignored Elanga, instead choosing Harry Maguire to support the attackers. Without a goal since February, however, it was perhaps easy to understand why the Swede did not pop into the Dutchman's thoughts as the clock ticked down.
Elanga, considering United chose to strengthen their wide options in the summer with the addition of Antony, would have most probably expected the bulk of his opportunities this term to come in the Europa League. However, he featured in just two of their six group games, starting once.
Garnacho, by comparison, featured in four of them, starting twice. It is fair to say, too, that he caught the eye a lot more in those two starts alone than Elanga has all season.
Therefore, once United get Sancho, Antony and Martial back, meaning their pool of attacking options has a more finished look to it, Garnacho could find himself ahead of Elanga in the pecking order. If that proves to be the case, United might have to explore the possibility of sending the 20-year-old out on loan in January to keep him fresh and focused.
Ten Hag, following the win over West Ham, waxed lyrical about Elanga's potential and the prospect of him having a bright future at Old Trafford in years to come. For now, though, a loan move could be the best option for him to keep his rhythm flowing, especially after how well he performed under Ralf Rangnick last term.
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