Alejandro Garnacho
Who is the next big talent coming out of Manchester United’s academy?
In a whirlwind week for dual national Alejandro Garnacho, the 17-year-old Argentine-Spaniard was called up for Argentina’s national team despite having yet to make a senior appearance for Manchester United.
Manager Lionel Scaloni is attempting to tie down numerous exciting talents with dual nationality during an international break with little significance.
It is a recognition of the quality the former Atletico Madrid winger possesses.
Garnacho’s impressive form at U18’s level has helped Manchester United to make the final of the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2011.
His stunning individual goal against Everton where he ran from one end of the pitch to the other before coolly finishing his effort into the bottom corner, was his standout moment since his move from Real Madrid’s academy in 2020.
The 17-year-old followed that with a brilliant brace against Leicester in the next round before another vital goal in the semi-final as he helped United defeat Wolves to make the FA Youth Cup final.
Signing someone as talented as Garnacho is a clear sign of progress for an academy moving in the right direction for the first time post Sir Alex Ferguson.
The signing of Hannibal Mejbri from Monaco was another huge sign of intent, the Red Devils reportedly securing his signature ahead of rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
There has been a lot of talk lately about the need for Manchester United to rediscover their DNA.
Well, Garnacho is a player who fits into the DNA that was installed into the team during the Ferguson era and is the type of player the Scot would have liked.
Fast and direct, he can dribble although there is room for improvement, but he also has the most important asset for a wide forward and that is end product.
He has the ability to produce a moment of magic, which the likes of Ryan Giggs and David Beckham always had in their locker.
His explosive ability to run with the ball and fire it into the top corner has seen the 17-year-old being compared to a young Gareth Bale.
If he turns out to be anywhere near as good as the Welsh international, Garnacho has a very exciting career ahead of him.
It will benefit the Argentine that he plays in a position that the Red Devils are lacking in terms of numbers and quality.
He may be a left winger, a position where Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga can all play, however with a question mark looming over Rashford’s future at Old Trafford, United will need more options and Garnacho could provide the perfect, zero cost replacement.
If he works on providing more consistent deliveries into the box and on bulking up in pre-season, Garnacho may well have a future in Manchester United’s first team, and it might come sooner rather than later.