Erik ten Hag says he has challenged Alejandro Garnacho to “perform every day” to try and nail down a starting XI place following his new Manchester United contract.
The 18-year-old penned a new five-year deal last week after returning to training following an ankle injury. He is nearing a comeback although is unlikely to feature against Brighton on Thursday. The teenager has four goals and five assists in 29 senior outings in his first full senior season.
His contributions include a stoppage-time winner against Fulham in November and an assist for Marcus Rashford’s decisive strike in January’s Manchester derby. Garnacho is now considered part of the first-team furniture with his manager eager for him to kick on.
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United value him so highly that they have refused to allow him to fly off to represent Argentina in the Under-20s World Cup during the run-in. The youngster has only started 10 games under Ten Hag so far, with just four coming in the Premier League.
Ten Hag gave a speech to his family after signing his new contract, in which he explained it is important for Garnacho to not rest on his laurels upon his fresh deal but to instead push on for the biggest titles.
He reiterated this to club media, saying that “there has to be a lot more to come” from the teenager. His manager added: “Now he has finalised his youth, now he has to compete for the jersey and for the starting XI.
“So that’s another challenge for him and another test. You have to act and perform every day, especially in every game.” Garnacho has not played since suffering his ankle setback in the goalless draw with Southampton on March 12.
He is expected to be back on the pitch ahead of the FA Cup final on June 3, although it seems the recovery window is tighter for Raphael Varane and Scott McTominay while Lisandro Martinez is out for the season.
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