Things haven't gone exactly according to plan at senior level for Manchester United this season, but there is still reason to be optimistic about the bright future of the club.
The mood is low heading into the international break with confirmation of another trophyless campaign, though the next two weeks could see the birth of United's latest national team star. A key component of nurturing precious young players has been an emphasis on giving the youngsters an opportunity to play above their usual age groups and exposing them to the expectations of what it takes to play at Old Trafford on a weekly basis.
Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage are two youngsters who have made their senior debuts so far this season, and there could well be another before the end of the campaign in the shape of Alvaro Fernandez or Alejandro Garnacho. The duo both arrived from Madrid back in 2020 with Fernandez joining from Real and Garnacho from Atletico. They are both proving to be incredible captures for United at youth level.
READ MORE: Manchester United unsung hero shines despite Alejandro Garnacho brilliance in victory over Everton
In recent weeks, Garnacho has established himself as arguably the most exciting youth prospect at the club, playing a pivotal role in the remarkable run to the FA Youth Cup final and earning a call-up to the senior Argentina side for their World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador this month. At the age of just 17, the tricky left winger could well make his international debut before his club one, as Argentina look to secure the long-term talents of the Spanish-born teenager, having already booked their place at the World Cup at the end of the year.
Garnacho is just one of the seven teenagers to have been called up by national team manager Lionel Scaloni, along with Luka Romero, Matias Soule, Franco Carboni, Valentin Carboni, Nicolas Paz and Tiago Geralnik.
The players were recommended for selection after scouting work by Juan Tassi and the plan is for them to train with the senior Argentina side over the next week while also doing work with Javier Mascherano's U20 side.
Garnacho had a meeting with Liverpool hero Mascherano on Friday morning, hours before he'd put in his latest stellar showing at U23 level for United. The teenager started on the bench for Wood's side in the 3-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford, but would play a pivotal role in their second and third goals after dazzling work from the left wing.
Wood told the Manchester Evening News after the victory: "He's going to go out there and I think it will be a great experience for him. He is in a group with some top players. He can only go there and learn and see how the main guys are preparing, how they are training, and it will be a really good education for him."
United are eager to reiterate that patience is needed despite the immense potential of players like Garnacho, and while images of him training with Lionel Messi will likely go viral next week, there is still plenty of work to do before he makes the permanent transition into senior football.
The left winger has netted five goals in five games as United reached the final of the FA Youth Cup for the first time since they last won it in 2011, and U18s manager Travis Binnion is another who is well aware of the special talent on their hands. Binnion told reporters: "Garno, he is improving all the time. Maybe a little bit of a slow burner to start with, but he is so exciting and he is approaching his training in the right way every day, and he is seeing great rewards from that.
"We just want him, like all the boys, to keep doing the right things day in and day out. Work on their game, work on their fitness and the rewards will come."
A call-up to the Argentina side is a fitting reward for the hard work Garnacho has put in already this season. The next challenge is to earn the same promotion at United.
The mood might be gloomy after the Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid, but United could well have the last laugh over the Spanish side in the shape of their former player Garnacho.
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