IN two years, Alejandro Garnacho has gone from promising youth star to getting picked by Argentina – and scoring his first goal for Manchester United.
The teenage star scored the first of his Man Utd career against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, after a pass from his mentor Cristiano Ronaldo
It marks an amazing period for the young winger, who is being heralded as a future world-beater for Man Utd.
The rapid left winger, 18, 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.
It means, even though he had yet to appear 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.
Read more on Man utd
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 making a name for himself in the first team.
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 No49 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.
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.
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.
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 is making his mark where it counts, in the United first team.
