Alejandro Garnacho is living the Manchester United dream. He struck a spectacular goal to clinch a 4-1 Youth Cup victory over Everton this week.
Garnacho transformed into Road Runner as he raced an opponent and stopped him in his tracks before calmly putting the ball in at the near post.
Garnacho has 16 goals and two assists in all competitions this season, scoring for the under-23s and under-18s in the league, cups, and UEFA Youth League.
It has been 18 months since Manchester United swooped on Atletico Madrid to sign him, and there was one major reason he joined United, refusing a contract at his club and also turning down interest from Borussia Dortmund.
Despite the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo was a Juventus player at the time, Marca reported that he was a factor.
According to their 2020 article, “the youngster spurned other teams in order to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Garnacho donned the number 7 shirt at Atletico, and his game is inspired by the superstar. He is a goal scorer who prefers to play from the left-wing, as Ronaldo did in his early career.
He is a strong dribbler who can go either way and a confident ball runner, as he demonstrated against Everton.
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His speed and goal-scoring skills make him a difficult opponent for defenders to face, and he also has a free-kick in his arsenal.
Garnacho has yet to be photographed with idol Cristiano Ronaldo or summoned to practice with him, but it is just a question of time.
His colleagues have drawn parallels between the two, dubbing him ‘Cristiano’ in comments on his Instagram image and Garnacho’s ‘Siu’ celebration after scoring his magnificent individual goal.
In a previous round of the Youth Cup, he had caught the eye with a bicycle kick at the Stretford End, demonstrating the temperament to perform on the big stage in his maiden encounter at Old Trafford.
What is in store for Garnacho this season?
Garnacho faces a difficult job in the FA Youth Cup, as United has advanced to the quarter-finals. United is also in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals and the UEFA Youth League last 16.
He’ll be hoping that he can lead United to atrophy in at least one of them, if not all three. Then there’s the task of under-23 football.
He has already demonstrated his ability, scoring a stunning solo goal in the under-23 triumph over Blackburn Rovers in December. He has only played seven under-23 games in his career and will be expected to step up more frequently between now and the conclusion of the season, as FA Youth Cup teammate Charlie McNeill has done.
At 17, Garnacho still has time on his side, and it would not be surprising to see him invited into first-team training as a reward for his accomplishments, following Alvaro Fernandez and Hannibal.
United can always use a dangerous attacking forward, and Ralf Rangnick was in attendance for United’s Youth Cup game. He couldn’t help but be impressed by the youngster’s participation. Garnacho might be called up if Marcus Rashford or Anthony Elanga get injured.
Garnacho is living the dream at Manchester United, and his decision to join the club is paying off thus far. Fans are right to be thrilled about the teenager’s potential since he is only going to become better.
