Manchester United advances to the next round of the Carabao cup after a 4-2 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
United defeated Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup and will host Burnley in the fourth round next month thanks to the performance of the 18-year-old replacement.
United defeated Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup and will host Burnley in the fourth round next month thanks to the performance of the 18-year-old replacement.
Ollie Watkins and an own goal by Diogo Dalot gave Villa a 2-0 lead in the second half, which followed a frantic first.
But they had no response for Garnacho’s straight running, as he became the youngest United player to record two assists in a game, setting up goals for Bruno Fernandes and then Scott McTominay with a stunning long pass into the visitors’ penalty area.
This is in stark contrast to his experience during United’s preseason trip of Thailand and Australia, when he was barred from playing as a disciplinary measure for missing two team meetings.
Even though Ten Hag praised Garnacho’s performance against Villa, the Dutchman’s words contained a stern warning.
Ten Hag stated, “It depends on his approach and mindset.” “It is achievable if he maintains his mindset and his desire to grow every day, as well as if he maintains a healthy lifestyle.
“It is evident that he has skills and can contribute to aggressive football. Additionally, he possesses the ability to breach a compact defensive line.
“All teams who wish to attack and play in the opponent’s half require such guys. He can outmaneuver them and also make the right decisions in the end.”
Garnacho was the standout on a chaotic evening at Old Trafford.
The difference between the first half and the second could not have been more pronounced.
While the highlights of a tepid opening period were a needless yellow card for a clumsy tackle by Harry Maguire on Ollie Watkins and two speculative set-pieces by Douglas Luiz and Fernandes, the action after the break was electric.
It took Villa just three minutes to take the lead as Watkins finished superbly past Martin Dubravka after being sent clear by Jacob Ramsey.
The smoke from a flare set off in celebration of Villa’s opener had not even begun to clear by the time Fernandes crossed for Anthony Martial to equalise a minute later.
When Dalot turned Leon Bailey’s header into his own net, new Villa boss Unai Emery must have thought he was going to start his reign with successive victories.
He reckoned without Garnacho. The youngster was involved in the equaliser as Ashley Young stretched to prevent him getting to the ball and inadvertently set up Rashford, who steadied himself before applying a fine finish.
The best was yet to come, though.
It seems such a daunting comparison, but those who were there when Cristiano Ronaldo took Bolton apart on the same wing, in the same area of the field 19 years ago, could not escape the feeling they were watching something similar again.
That the pair should now be team-mates seems bizarre.
But, as Ronaldo’s influence is without question beginning to wane, Garnacho’s career is all in front of him.
- Possession
- Home59%
- Away41%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away13
