Erik ten Hag names key Alejandro Garnacho trait that makes him special

Erik ten Hag has explained that the confidence Alejandro Garnacho has in himself and his abilities is one reason why he will become an incredibly special player.

Alejandro Garnacho is in the middle of a brilliant breakthrough season at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag integrating the young Argentinian into his sides on a regular basis.

Garnacho recently featured in the starting XI against Leeds United, and despite missing a few good chances throughout the game, his impact on the XI was clear to see.

“I think he is doing quite well, he is having an impact,” Ten Hag said of the young winger in the build-up to United’s Sunday fixture away against Leeds United. “I think he is a threat as we saw yesterday, 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.”

When Garnacho was substituted against Leeds for Jadon Sancho, who went on to score the equliaing goal to rescue a point for United in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, many pointed out that Garnacho looked frustrated. Ten Hag was asked on if he noticed Garnacho’s frustration, and simply answered: “No.”

It was pointed out in the pre-match press conference that a similar thing occurred when United played Crystal Palace last weekend, and Ten Hag was asked if he thinks Garnacho needs to “calm down a bit” and understand that substitutions are decisions made by the coach, and that Garnacho should learn to accept these decisions.

A minority of fans have suggested that Garnacho’s visible frustration should be seen as a warning sign of a potential attitude problem – but Ten Hag disagrees.

“I don’t think it is that he doesn’t understand the decision,” replied the Dutch manager. He’s quite emotional, that is his strength that he is bringing in the game. He wants to win, he wants to play football and doesn’t want to miss any minutes. I think that is a good thing.”

Expanding further on Garnacho, Ten Hag explained that Garnancho’s confidence in his own abilities are a good thing and is exactly what is required in a young player in order to make it to the top of world football – which is no doubt the winger’s aim.

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.”

Manchester United will face Leeds for the second time this week on Sunday afternoon, travelling to Elland Road.

It is expected that Garnacho will keep his place in the starting XI on Sunday after it was revealed that winger Antony will likely not feature due to injury. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho will probably round off the front three.