Manchester United could risk hindering the development of Alejandro Garnacho as Erik ten Hag continues to overlook the 19-year-old winger at the start of his second season at Old Trafford.

 

Garnacho is expected to play an important role in the Red Devils squad after the groundbreaking and explosive 2022/23 campaign. However, the young Argentinian talent’s opportunities to play are gradually being limited. Ten Hag gave Garnacho a chance to become a regular last season. In response, this player scored 5 goals and had 5 assists after 34 appearances. After the summer of 2023, Garnacho will also be transferred to shirt number 17, showing his recognized ability.

 

But after starting in Man United’s opening two matches against Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur, he was only able to come on as a substitute for 20 minutes in the next five matches. A parameter that is too modest. Garnacho was unused in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest before only appearing briefly in defeats to Arsenal, Brighton and Bayern Munich.

Even Garnacho was not considered by Ten Hag in the 1-0 victory over Burnley even though coach Ten Hag is lacking options in the wing position when Antony and Jadon Sancho are currently unavailable for reasons beyond their expertise.

 

Ten Hag explained that Man United’s efforts to preserve the score at Turf Moor was the reason why he did not choose Garnacho. Ten Hag said: “Garnacho attended the match against Munich. At that time, I thought the whole team played very well.

So I won’t change the lineup. I see that the players are still capable, have good physical strength and the energy is still there. At that time, the score was only a fragile 1-0.”But Garnacho’s absence has raised concerns. The 2023/24 season is considered the right time for Garnacho to take a big step forward in his career. But by this time, Garnacho had completely disappeared.

 

Garnacho’s favorite position is the left. However, with Man Utd already having Rasmus Hojlund in the slot, coach Ten Hag prefers to use Marcus Rashford on the left wing. Therefore, Garnacho’s playing time is limited.

If not in trouble, Antony defaults to the right wing position. Ten Hag preferred to deploy left-footed player Facundo Pellistri in the match against Bayern and chose a diamond formation in Man United’s last two matches in the Premier League.

 

The Dutch coach certainly knows what he is doing as he has successfully coached some of the most exciting young players throughout his coaching career before arriving at Old Trafford.

But concerns about disappointment for Garnacho are well-founded. This young player certainly cannot improve if his opportunities to play are limited. Clearly Ten Hag has a headache to solve over Garnacho.