Erik ten Hag believes Alejandro Garnacho “had to score” in Manchester United’s draw with Leeds but the manager is impressed with the 18-year-old’s total self-belief.
The winger had at least two clear chances in the first half on Wednesday before being replaced after the break. Although he did not score, Garnacho was a threat on the left on his third league start. Ten Hag was asked to assess the youngster since the season restarted after the World Cup.
“He is doing well, he has an impact on our game, he is a threat, also [against Leeds], he had good actions, he was lively, created chances, but had to score,” he said. “And finally, it’s about that – that you have an effect. As a striker you have to at least be on the scoring list, the assist list, the key action list, to have the right impact. Of course, we expect him also to do the other stuff [such as pressing] but as a Man United player, we expect you to have an impact to influence the score, to influence the result, to positively influence the game by scoring goals and having an assist.”
Ten Hag is not concerned if Garnacho is unhappy when taken off. “I don’t think it’s about him not understanding the decision,” he said. “He’s quite emotional; that is his strength, he brings it to his game. He wants to win, to play football, doesn’t want to miss any minutes and that is a good thing. He’s totally convinced about himself, you need that. But he accepts decisions and the team is always above everything and I think he knows that. When he is coming off, that emotion, that frustration is not against that, that he’s not accepting it.”
Garnacho’s first instinct is to try to beat a defender. “All the players have to be brave – if it’s in the interests of the team,” Ten Hag said. “That is what he is doing quite well because he is taking players on and he is outplaying them, he is creating chances – [but] on [Wednesday] he should have scored.”
Ten Hag is enthused by the stellar form of Marcus Rashford, who has 20 goals this season, and Jadon Sancho’s goal against Leeds, which came in only a second appearance since October owing to physical and mental wellbeing issues.
“It’s wonderful to work with young people, to get the best out of them,” he said. “Finally, they have to do it by themselves. But sometimes they need motivation, a push and interaction. Sometimes they also need the inspiration of a plan.”
