Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho is winning plaudits after yet another superb performance.
There have been enough young players push to break through at Manchester United over the years, that fans understand talent alone is not enough.
Luck and fortune can play a part too, but above all, character is arguably just as important as talent. When you have a player with the right combination of the two, that’s when you really strike gold.
Alejandro Garnacho is looking like the real deal. The 19-year-old has established himself as a regular starter, a player with a combination of talent and desire, who has the x-factor to succeed at Old Trafford.
Alejandro Garnacho praised
Alejandro Garnacho was a difference maker in Manchester United’s win over Liverpool. While Jurgen Klopp’s side tried to keep him shackled, and did so for large stretches, the teenager made the difference when he needed to.
He burst through on the counter-attack with Amad and played a pass to his teammate, who struck the ball into the bottom corner.
Garnacho was picked out for praise on Match Of The Day 2, with former England winger Theo Walcott talking up the Manchester United winger.
Walcott praised Garnacho’s movement off the ball and his ability to find space, before commending his speed and character.
He said, speaking about his electric pace on show for United’s winning goal: “He seems to be getting faster and faster.
“The pass he delays it, delays it, and of course, Amad, fantastic finish.
“Look at him, you can see he’s got sort of, the veins of a Manchester United sort of player, a beautiful player to see.”
What Walcott is trying to say, is that Garnacho has the character of some of Manchester United’s past greats, a little arrogance, swagger, in addition to his raw talent and desire.
Last year, Garnacho even found himself compared to the great Eric Cantona. High praise, but squint and you can see it.
Garnacho can still improve
Garnacho can still improve, and that is the scary aspect for opposing teams. The forward is still only 19, and he can still reach another level of productivity.
He has seven goals this season, which is fine, but he has the ability to push on and be the type of forward who nets 20 plus in a campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo made a similar leap, and then some. Garnacho is arguably more polished than Ronaldo was when he was a teenager.
But for now, let’s just enjoy Garnacho for who he is. A young player making a big contribution, in a team trying to find it’s way.
He is carving out his own future, in his own style, and it is genuinely great to see.