Manchester United supporters are so taken by Alejandro Garnacho that they have begun serenading the young forward with Cristiano Ronaldo ’s chant.
Garnacho was the star of the show for United on Wednesday night, scoring twice to give the club’s Under-18 side a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Youth Cup final. United’s youngsters clinched the trophy for the first time since 2011 in front of a sell-out crowd of 67,000 fans at Old Trafford.
United captain Rhys Bennett opened the scoring after 12 minutes to put the hosts on their way before Joshua Powell equalised for Forest following a mistake by goalkeeper Radek Vitek. The stage was then set for Garnacho, who netted a controversial penalty in the 75th minute to make it 2-1 before benefiting from a deflection to make the game safe in injury-time.
Garnacho has not been shy about revealing that Ronaldo is his idol and the past few months have been brilliant for the 17-year-old, who has got to train with the veteran striker – and get his match ball following a hat-trick against Norwich City last month. The Argentine forward entertained fans by performing Ronaldo’s trademark “Siuuuu” celebration after calmly netting his penalty and they responded with their own nod to the Portuguese superstar.
After the full-time whistle, a group of supporters were filmed singing “Viva Garnacho” to the youngster. The classic terrace chant was spawned during Ronaldo’s first spell at the club between 2003 and 2009 and has had a revival this season.
It goes: “Viva Ronaldo! Viva Ronaldo! Running down the wing, hear United sing, viva Ronaldo!” Garnacho, who now has 13 goals and six assists in 33 appearances this season, can now add another achievement to his growing collection.
Garnacho was signed from Atletico Madrid in September 2020, with United fending off interest from Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. United supporters are beginning to see why the pacey young forward came to Old Trafford with such an exciting reputation.
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He made his senior debut as a 91st-minute substitute in United’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea on April 28 and has impressed interim boss Ralf Rangnick. “[Garnacho] has been training with us for the last two weeks and I know that he is one of the most promising players,” Rangnick said last month.
“[He is] still only 17, but a player that hopefully if he keeps his feet on the ground. If he keeps trying to get better every day, then he will not only be sitting on the bench but there is every chance he will be playing for this club."
With United’s season petering out and their worst ever Premier League campaign assured, there is likely to be a clamour to see Garnacho given another chance to shine in the final game of the season against Crystal Palace on May 22.
