Erik ten Hag names Alejandro Garnacho’s ‘next challenge’ that will turn Man Utd winger into ‘top player’

Erik ten Hag has said becoming a first-team regular for Manchester United is Alejandro Garnacho’s ‘next challenge’.

The teenager played for the first time in two months on Saturday following his comeback from an ankle issue. Garnacho came on in the latter stages of United’s 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, and netted in injury-time to remove any hopes of a Wolves comeback.

It’s been a big few weeks for Garnacho, who has signed a new contract, is about to become a father and returned from a long-term injury. He received a resounding reception from the home fans when he came off the bench at Old Trafford on Saturday, and the winger is quickly becoming a fan favourite with United supporters.

While Ten Hag was delighted with his impact against Wolves, the Dutchman said the next step is to become a player that can’t be left out of the team.

“One of the aspects from the biggest talent is that they are mature,” the United manager claimed after the game. “First they take responsibility and second they are mature. They have the skills and the belief that they can dominate opponents and once again he did it.

“He has a big impact in many games, either when starting or coming on. He is ready and straight into the game and that is so important for the squad you can bring young players and hopefully he will progress so quickly he can compete for starting position. That is his challenge.

“Garna, we see it because he scored a great goal, he did almost everything good and that will give him belief,” he added. “That’s good for us because that’s good for the rest of the season. He is back, he can have an impact and that will give him confidence.”

Asked what Garnacho, who has started just 10 times this season, has to do to become a regular in the side, Ten Hag replied: “He is showing when you score some winners - Fulham - assist against [Manchester] City and now the second goal he is showing.

“Sometimes he lacks some things: the defence and transitions, pressing and you have to step up. Also, when you are going into an action or keep the ball, but when you see it all over he is a huge talent and is brave.

“Decisions, making decisions, scanning situations, when to go into one on ones, or get behind,” Ten Hag continued. “When to go for goal, or give the extra pass, or get the assist rather than to go for your own success. It’s decisions like that make a good player a top player. That is the difference.”

On Garnacho’s development this season, Ten Hag said: “It shows that you can go that way and that pathway is open for young players in United if you work in the right way, when you work hard then we can guide you to get into the team. But in the end it is about the player, he has to invest and to have a plan to do it.”