Graham Ruthven: Alejandro Garnacho’s overhead kick could send his Man Utd career to the next level

ALEJANDRO Garnacho will never score a better goal than the one he scored against Everton on Sunday. Indeed, the sensational overhead kick scored by the Manchester United winger at Goodison Park will go down as one of the best in Premier League history and it could send his career to the next level. 

Garnacho’s talent has been clear for a while. The teenager became a first team figure for Manchester United last season, making 34 appearances in all competitions. He is widely seen as one of the world’s best young players in his position. Inconsistency, however, has been a problem for Garnacho.

To date, Erik ten Hag has generally used Garnacho as someone who can make an impact off the bench late in games. He did this in a Manchester Derby win over Manchester City last season – Garnacho provided the assist for Marcus Rashford’s winner – but the landscape is starting to change for the young Argentinean international.

After a challenging start to the season, ten Hag is looking for attacking difference-makers he can count on and Garnacho has emerged as one of those figures. He has started Manchester United’s last five matches in-a-row with ten Hag keen on how the 19-year-old gives his team threat in quick transition.

Comparisons have been made to Cristiano Ronaldo, someone Garnacho idolises and imitates with his celebrations. Before becoming arguably the best penalty box finisher of all-time, Ronaldo was a mercurial winger who used his speed and trickery to change games. Some others have likened Garnacho to Wayne Rooney.

“Don’t compare, I don’t think it’s right,” said ten Hag when asked about the Ronaldo and Rooney comparisons after Garnacho’s stunning display against Everton. “They all have their own identity. For Garnacho to go that way he has to work very hard and do it on a consistent basis. So far he has not, but he definitely has high potential to do some amazing things.”

While Garnacho has never struggled much for confidence, his goal against Everton could prove a catalyst for him to achieve even bigger and better things. He must use this as a platform to become one of the best, most productive wide performers in the Premier League. That’s a realistic aim for a player of Garnacho’s ability.

Ten Hag has steadied Manchester United somewhat in recent weeks. While the Old Trafford side face an early exit from the Champions League group stage, they have won their last six league matches in succession. Many of those wins have been unconvincing, but United are putting one foot in front of the other again. They are moving forward, albeit slowly.

Kobbie Mainoo could be part of this improvement after his Man of the Match debut against Everton. The 18-year-old did the work of two players at Goodison Park, winning 100% of his tackles and recovering the ball more than any other player in red. On top of this, he was extremely effective at getting United moving through the middle in possession.

Luke Shaw’s return from injury will also give Manchester United structure again with the England international crucial to the way they move through the lines. Lisandro Martinez is another player who helps United play out from the back with the central defender expected to be back in the first team in the coming weeks.

Garnacho, however, has the potential to make the biggest impact. Long talked about as one for the future, the winger is starting to become an important player in the here and now for Manchester United. He won’t be able to produce an overhead kick stunner every week, but Garnacho could produce countless more special moments.

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