As Erik ten Hag prepared for the 2024/25 season, many considered the Dutchman to be fortunate to be in his job. The previous campaign, aside from the FA Cup success, was a disaster – albeit a mitigated one. The most significant mitigation of which: is United’s injury record.
Reliability is key
One of the only players whom Ten Hag could consistently rely upon to stay fit, however, was teenager Alejandro Garnacho, who featured in almost every match in a drawn-out campaign. Now that Ten Hag has survived and gone into a new season – one in which he has already had to deal with a handful of injuries – there is greater depth afforded him within the squad due to the additions made by new investors INEOS in the summer. In Garnacho’s position, investment needn’t be external – rather practical, directed from within.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Barnsley at Old Trafford on September 17, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
The effort which Marcus Rashford and Amad invested into their games over the summer has already been evident as both have made superb starts to the season: Rashford appearing more akin to his world-class 2023/24 self and Amad finally realising his immense potential game-to-game. Garnacho, therefore, has found himself outside of a starting XI to which he was so accustomed last season. But, paradoxically, the Argentina international’s output has been simply incredible.
Goal contributions and general output…
Despite only having started two matches so far this season, the 20-year-old has produced a combined seven goals and assists (having another disallowed against Brighton) and has appeared especially direct and threatening when featuring from the bench. Hence, many Manchester United fans have wondered why he isn’t starting more regularly and taken issue with Ten Hag’s selection. The manager does have something of a problem here, but his lack of initial inclusion in United’s matches this season despite his form can be explained.
Garnacho’s most recent start for United was in Tuesday’s trailblazing demolition of Barnsley at Old Trafford. Garnacho scored and assisted twice in United’s 7-0 victory and featured in his favoured position – off the left wing. This was also the position in which he came on for Argentina whilst assisting Paulo Dybala in the most recent international break. However, for much of last season, and in his previous start in the current campaign against Liverpool, Garnacho was utilised on the right side of United’s attack. His initial deployment in that position was something of an experiment – one which turned out to be a resounding success – but an experiment nonetheless. Whilst Garnacho’s direct approach could be well reciprocated to the other flank, having a right footer on the right-hand side of the pitch did prove to be problematic for Ten Hag’s side, where much of the vertical progression comes down the wings, and thus issues were found in recycling possession quickly. Since the left-footed Amad has stepped into the role off the right, United have appeared much more balanced in sustained possession.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams third goal with team mate Amad Diallo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United FC at St Mary's Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Amad hasn’t converted as prolifically as Garnacho this season but has certainly allowed the team to sustain territory and keep the ball better – something which was evident (albeit, the sample size is unfair) when the Ivorian came on in that Liverpool game as much as in those which he has started. It is not a slight against Garnacho’s quality nor necessarily a testament to Amad’s (although his technical ability is superb), rather a simple fact that the dynamics of the team are benefited by having a left-footed player on the right as opposed to not.
In terms of United’s other flank, it is clear that Marcus Rashford is one of the team’s most important players and is greatly valued by Ten Hag. He has started the season well, having featured in United’s preseason after a summer off whilst Garnacho returned later from the Copa America. On this topic, it is well worth noting that Garnacho specifically requested to cut his holiday after his success on international duty short so that he could begin preparation for the new campaign as soon as possible. Rashford is a player who, at his best, would start for more or less any team in the world. He hasn’t, however, been anywhere near that level for a few months, but his manager believes in him and chose to stick with him while Garnacho got up to speed. In that period, Rashford has equally played himself back into form, especially after the international break, having himself converted thrice across his last two games. It seems that the place on the left-hand side is his to lose, and whilst Garnacho is waiting in the wings (literally), Rashford is only showing signs of heating up.
Keeping players thriving… and surviving.
There is also the issue of managing Garnacho’s development. He played all of last season as a teenager yet featured in 38 matches in a row after November 1st last year. Whilst the likes of Lamine Yamal and clubmate Kobbie Mainoo equally have endured considerable exposure at such a young age, like Garnacho much of the reason for this was due to injuries in their positions for their clubs. It was through necessity, just as much (despite eventually equally as much) as quality that these young players were afforded so many minutes. Despite significant development in sports science, understanding of load management and even higher professional standards in recent years, many of the world’s best players overplayed at such a young age and fizzled out early.
Take, for example, United’s own Wayne Rooney. Whilst making the most of Garnacho, ‘s youthful exuberance in behind the opponent’s defensive lines may appear an attractive proposition for now, he needs to be carefully managed to maximise the length of his career on the top table. But now, with the option of Amad as a starting contender, United can manage Garnacho on their terms: bringing him into games when they see fit and utilising his talents in the ideal conditions.
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United icelebartes scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final, 1st leg League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London UK. Photo: Gary Prior. (Photo by Ben Radford/Corbis via Getty Images)
This, itself, is a crucial advantage of keeping Garnacho on the bench for Ten Hag. The Dutchman used the inspiring teenager as an impact sub for much of his debut campaign, paying dividends in huge matches such as against Manchester City at Old Trafford. And this season, his intelligence and directness have caused so much chaos against tired legs when introduced from the bench, that it could even be argued he is more effective for the team as something of a wildcard to change matches. United didn’t have enough attacking variety to win matches by big margins – or at all – last year.
Now, in tandem with the tweaks made by Ruud van Nistelrooy and attacking additions personnel-wise, United have had a great option to change the game within it in Garnacho from the bench. Ultimately, he will start many games for United, and hopefully Argentina too, this season. But for now, it is clear why Garnacho is being utilised from the sidelines and just how effective this formula is.
Having three top-class wingers is hardly a cause for concern, even if it is something of a problem for the manager!
