Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that Alejandro Garnacho has taken another important step in his development following his performance against West Ham United.
The 18-year-old has largely been used as an impact substitute this season, but he was handed a start against West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday night.
Garnacho was on the scoresheet for the Red Devils at Old Trafford, making it 2-1 to the hosts late on, before Fred netted a third in the final moments.
Ten Hag has revealed that ahead of the match with the Hammers he challenged the teenager to have an impact as a starter.
"I see it, I see today another step," Ten Hag told reporters. "I said to him before the game, 'It's getting time you have an impact when you come on, but now you have to have an impact as a starter.' I think he's capable of it. So that is the next step he has to make.
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"This (being brave) is one of his skills, but definitely it's a great skill when you're fearless, when you're brave.
"It's a skill so specific there are not so many players in world football who can take players on or capable, they just go play and just outplay and out-dribble them. And that skill, he has. But he has more skills than only that, for example, finishing.
"But also, I see he has big energy, he is fast, he has speed, but he can keep running, for 90 minutes, for 120 minutes, it doesn't matter how long, he can do it."
The youngster has now scored four times and registered five assists in 27 appearances for Man United during the 2022-23 campaign.
Garnacho will now be hoping to keep hold of his starting role for Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.
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Man United have been drawn against Fulham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, with the fixture set to take place at Old Trafford, and Ten Hag also discussed the upcoming clash with the Cottagers on Wednesday night.
"When you have an away game, you have to deal with it," he told ITV Sport. "And we should do but, of course, we are happy to play at Old Trafford.
"We like Old Trafford. Old Trafford is a fortress. Old Trafford is our home. Old Trafford is a good fight. But when we play away, we have to play good as well. And we also enjoy playing away. It is difficult. They are playing really well. So, we have to be really well prepared to win that game."
Man United are still chasing a quadruple this season, having won the EFL Cup last weekend, while they will take on Real Betis in the last-16 stage of the Europa League, with the first leg due to take place at Old Trafford on March 9.
Matt Law
