Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has hailed Alejandro Garnacho for his performance in Thursday's Europa League contest with Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford.
The 18-year-old had made five first-team appearances for the Red Devils off the bench before being handed his first start in the European clash with the Wasps.
Garnacho played 79 minutes of his side's 3-0 victory, making a strong impression in the process, and he will now be bidding to make just his second Premier League appearance of the season against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Ten Hag has said that the teenager "deserved the chance after the last weeks", with the Dutchman revealing the reasons for not starting him sooner.
"I think it was a good performance from him," Ten Hag told reporters. "He did what I expect him to do. First, he deserved the chance after the last weeks. The start was difficult for him in the season.
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"I was not happy with him but the last weeks I was happy with him - he got a better attitude, more resilience, more determination and what you see he is a talent.
"To deal with the ball in tight areas, to run behind, and especially also his tempo dribbles, he can take players on and that's a good capability in football nowadays, especially against opponents who are defending that compact like this opponent.
"I'm happy with that. I hope for him it's a stimulus, this first game, and that he knows 'yeah, I have to do better to get into the team', to create more but don't forget the other things. You are playing in a team."
When asked what Garnacho had done wrong to make him wait for a full first-team debut, Ten Hag said: "Not wrong. It's young kids, eh?
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"They have to grow and to raise their personality, and they have to know what are the laws and demands in football, in top football.
"It's not only about a trick or about scoring one goal. No, we have to win football games and that demands a lot and then you have to fulfil every day the highest standards. That is what we have to teach - and not only to him but all the players, especially the young players."
Garnacho has a record of 16 goals and eight assists in 31 appearances for Man United Under-18s, while he has managed five goals and two assists in 16 outings for Man United Under-21s.
The Argentine's first-team debut for the 20-time English champions came against Chelsea in the Premier League at the end of April, while he has now played three times in the Europa League this season.
Matt Law
