“High potential…” – Erik ten Hag sets new challenge for Manchester United trio

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has set a new challenge for the “high potential” trio of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund and Kobbie Mainoo.

Ten Hag has watched the three young players become key players for his side this season in difficult circumstances. United currently sit sixth in the Premier League.

All three are new additions to the lineup. Garnacho was involved last season but mainly as an impact substitute, whilst Mainoo and Højlund have been new additions from both inside and outside of the club.

The trio were pictured together sitting on the advertisement boards after Garnacho’s first goal against West Ham last week, and they are beginning to have a real impact on the first team.

Now, Ten Hag believes that their next challenge is to perform this way against higher-level opposition like Aston Villa this weekend.

The Reds travel to Villa Park, which has been one of the most difficult stadiums to visit this season, and Garnacho, Mainoo and Højlund are all expected to start.

“We have some exciting players,” stated Ten Hag when asked about the young trio.

“We also have had such [standout] moments during the season – for instance, the brilliant goal from Garnacho against Everton,” he says, referencing that spectacular overhead kick at Goodison Park.

“We have some very high potentials in this squad. And now we have to perform to high levels.

“We do it now in some games but on Sunday, for instance, we get an opposition who have a very high level. So that’s a challenge to perform there and to get end product from those players on Sunday. So they are the next steps, which have to come.”