Ten Hag hands Garnacho his FIRST start in Europa League clash

Erik ten Hag hands Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho his FIRST start in Europa League clash against Sheriff Tiraspol… as the Red Devils manager insists the teenager ‘deserves’ a chance after impressing in training

• Alejandro Garnacho has been handed his first senior start for Manchester United
• Erik ten Hag said the youngster ‘deserves’ a start after impressing in training
• Manchester United will likely need a win to keep their top-spot hopes alive 

There was a surprise in the Manchester United team-sheet, as Erik ten Hag handed youngster Alejandro Garnacho his first start.

Ten Hag has spoken of the importance of finishing top of their Europa League group, so a strong line-up was expected for their clash with Sheriff Tiraspol.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion was big news after he refused to come off the bench last week, but the inclusion of Garnacho was just as notable.

Alejandro Garnacho (right) is making his first start for Manchester United against Sheriff 

Before the match, Ten Hag praised Garnacho for impressing in training, and claimed that was why he decided to give the Argentine forward a chance.

When asked if Garnacho had done well in training, Ten Hag responded: ‘Yes, that’s why he gets the opportunity, he deserves it.

‘He likes runs behind, likes dribbles, likes finishing and I’m really wondering, and I hope, he can do that tonight.

Erik ten Hag said the Argentine youngster deserves his chance after impressing in training

‘We have a front three, with Cristiano and Antony, who all have opportunities, who have skills, who run behind, to create, to have dribbles and to have combinations in tight areas, which is what we expect from them, to create opportunities and goals.’

Garnacho made his first senior team appearance off the bench against Chelsea last season.

This campaign, he has come off the bench in games against Brighton in the Premier League, and Real Sociedad in the Europa League, but he has mostly been used an used substitute.

Garnacho will be looking to prove why he deserves to be featured more in the first-team

Garnacho will be hoping to make the most out of his opportunity and prove he deserves to be considered more often for a starting berth.

United went into today’s game against Sheriff Tiraspol three points behind leaders Real Sociedad, with just one match left to play – in Spain next week – in the group stage.

Failure to finish top of their group means United could play teams that have dropped from the Champions League, with the potential of matches against the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid. 

Share this article

Source: Read Full Article