Erik ten Hag has brushed off suggestions that Alejandro Garnacho is frustrated and insists the forward is having an impact at Manchester United.
Garnacho is having a breakthrough season at the club and has made 22 appearances in all competitions, having shone during the Red Devils’ FA Youth Cup success in 2021/22.
The 18-year-old has scored twice and laid on a further four assists and Ten Hag has discussed the teenager’s development.
“I think he is doing quite well, he is having an impact,” he told his pre-match press conference ahead of United’s trip to Leeds.
“I think he is a threat as we saw [on Wednesday], he had good actions, he was lively, he created great chances but he had to score. Finally it is about that, that you have an effect. As a striker, you have to be on that list, the scoring list, the assist list, the key action list.
“Of course, we expect the other stuff, the base stuff is also important if you can’t do the extra, you have to do that. That is your base function, but as a Man United player we expect you to have an impact, to influence the score, the result, to have a positive influence on the game by scoring goals and having assists.”
Garnacho has appeared frustrated when being substituted in recent fixtures, including against Crystal Palace last weekend having been sacrificed following Casemiro’s red card.
The Argentine had been brought on as a substitute just 28 minutes earlier, but Ten Hag believes Garnacho’s ’emotion; is one of his strengths.
“I don’t think it is that he doesn’t understand the decision. He’s quite emotional, that is his strength that he is bringing in the game,” he said. “He wants to win, he wants to play football and doesn’t want to miss any minutes. I think that is a good thing.
“He is totally convinced about himself, that’s a good thing. You need that under the biggest stress factors that you have to perform, and he is doing [that]. He is contributing to the end but he accepts the decision. The team is always above everything and he accepts that. I think when he is coming off that emotion, the frustration, is not off that he is not accepting it.”
Ten Hag praised Garnacho’s attitude and ability to make things happen in the final third, but insists there is still room for improvement from the teenager.
“I think all the players have to be brave and to try as long as it’s in the interest of the team. That is what he is doing quite well because he is taking players on, he outplays them, he is creating chances. But [on Wednesday], he should have scored.”
