James Garner's form continues to skyrocket for Nottingham Forest.
Wednesday night saw the on-loan Manchester United midfielder score his fourth goal of the campaign in a 2-0 win over Coventry City. That was enough to move Steve Cooper's side up to fifth in the Championship table with just a handful of games remaining.
Garner's goal, a powerful drive from inside the penalty area, was the finish of a player full of confidence and added to his list of impressive performances in recent months. Whilst the immediate aim for the 21-year-old is to help Forest secure a play-off spot and ultimately end a 23-year exile from the Premier League, the long-term ambition has always been to force his way into the first team plans at his parent club.
A report in the Telegraph suggests that United are now ready to give the youngster that chance this summer, regardless of who is installed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's permanent successor.
With French midfielder Paul Pogba's future far from certain there could potentially be a gaping hole needing to be filled in the engine room at Old Trafford. It is claimed Garner will be assessed during United's pre-season, which will see them head on tour to Australia and the Middle East.
The midfielder has spoken in the past about his clear aim of becoming a mainstay in the United team. But he has now reflected on his second loan stint at the City Ground, saying it has massively aided his development. As well as the aforementioned goal return, Garner has chipped in with four assists.
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"I think it's helped me massively," Garner said of his latest loan stint. "I don't think I would be where I am at this stage right now if I was still playing with the under-23s back at United. It has helped me massively to develop as a player. It's developed a whole different side of my game which I didn't think I needed if that makes sense.
"The Championship is a hard, hard league, it's aggressive and you've got to have all the basic fundamentals before you can then bring out your talent."
He also had warm words for the youth set-up at his parent club, where he has been since the under-8s age group.
He added: "It's important and it's helped me massively in terms of where I am today. They don't just help you on the pitch, they help you off the pitch as well, how to be a good human being, which is the most important thing. Like I said, I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for the academy system, I'm so grateful. A couple of years ago I was very fortunate to play a couple of games in the Europa League and I took a lot of things from it."
