IN two years, Alejandro Garnacho has gone from promising youth star at Manchester United to getting picked by Argentina.
The rapid left winger, 17, was handed a surprise call-up to Lionel Scaloni’s 44-man squad ahead of World Cup qualifying games against Venezuela and Ecuador back in March.
Alejandro Garnacho has been selected by Argentina and is now training alongside Lionel MessiCredit: InstagramGarnacho was a surprise inclusion in Lionel Scaloni’s 44-man squadCredit: AP
It means, even though he hasn’t appeared in the first team, he has trained alongside legend Lionel Messi.
The wonderkid has starred for United’s U18s this campaign, excelling in the FA Youth Cup with four goals.
One of those strikes saw the talent run from his own half down the left flank to score against Everton with an astonishing solo goal.
And now, after featuring as a late substitute for United in the Premier League at the end of April, he is preparing to be the talisman in Man Utd’s FA Youth Cup final against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
The fleet-footed forward was the third La Liga starlet to join the club in 2020, signing from Atletico Madrid after the arrivals of Marc Jurado from Barcelona and Alvaro Fernandez from Real Madrid.
Garnacho was called the ‘jewel’ of Atletico’s academy, and is working hard to emulate his idol growing up.
He is obsessed by Cristiano Ronaldo, and even wore the same shirt number – No7 as his idol, although he’s had to accept No11 with the Red Devils.
Still, that didn’t stop him celebrating that goal against Everton with CR7’s famous ‘SIUUU!’ roar.
The Red Devils were said to have fought off Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund to secure Garnacho’s signature.
Described as a ‘goalscoring machine’, the Madrid-born teenager was highly rated by Atletico, who were devastated he left.
He joined the club in 2015, impressing all with his killer instinct in front of goal.
In 2016, whilst playing for Atletico’s Infantil B, he was Spain’s top scorer – destroying opposition defences with his natural knack for finding the back of the net.
Manchester United ace Garnacho is excelling in the club’s academyCredit: GettyGarnacho, who had been with Atletico since 2015, was said to be the ‘jewel’ of the club’s academyCredit: La Liga promisesTalented Garnacho is said to be a goalscoring machineCredit: La Liga promisesReal Madrid and Borussia Dortmund were also reportedly interested in GarnachoCredit: Instagram / @garnacho7
QUICK AND NIMBLE
Blessed with a flawless technique, Garnacho boasts attributes including close ball control that make it difficult for defenders to rob the ball off him.
In the penalty area he’s intuitive and clinical, preferring to shift the ball onto his right foot before calmly slotting the ball home.
A real predator in front of goal, Garnacho is also adept at finding space in the penalty box, and is an instinctive poacher.
Moving to Old Trafford was said to be an easy decision for him, because it has allowed him to follow in the footsteps of his Portuguese hero.
READY FOR STARDOM
From a young age Garnacho’s potential has seen him primed for the top.
At 15, he already found himself enjoying run-outs for Atletico’s U19 team.
Garnacho wants to emulate his idol Cristiano RonaldoCredit: La Liga promises
This campaign he has thrived with United’s academy, playing for both the U18 and U23 sides.
In all competitions, Garnacho has managed 13 goals in 33 matches – as well as eight assists.
And now, after receiving call-ups to the Argentina national team, he has landed himself a spot on Man Utd’s first team bench in recent weeks, coming on for the final moments of their 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
