“He has a special quality that the whole squad needs”: Strachan drops statement on Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho, according to Strachan, has a special quality that the “whole squad needs.”
Under Erik ten Hag, Alejandro Garnacho has emerged as one of Manchester United’s most vital players thus far this season.
Under the Dutch manager last season, the United youth graduate broke through as a first-team option and proved to be a valuable impact player for the squad.
But this season, he has excelled above expectations and is already among the first names on the Old Trafford team sheet. The young player has started the last eighteen games in the Premier League.
During his five years at Old Trafford in the 1980s, Gordon Strachan mostly occupied the right side of midfield, which is today Garnacho’s finest area of the field.
The former Scotland and Celtic manager believes that the Argentine’s drive to improve his game is ‘rare’ and something that many of his teammates at United could do with.
Speaking exclusively with UtdDistrict, partnered by OLBG, Strachan said: “Alejandro Garnacho has that drive and that willingness to get better in every moment. It’s rare in that dressing room.
“He’s only 19, and he still wants to get better and better, he reminds me of the attitude that everyone had in the dressing room 20 or 30 years ago.
“He has what the whole squad needs to get back because winning is the only thing that matters at Manchester United.”
Garnacho has formed a strong relationship with fellow youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund at Old Trafford.
The three young players have been standout performers for Ten Hag’s side this term, but Garnacho has been the one ever-present in the team among them.
“Garnacho reminds me of Wayne Rooney when he joined the club,” added Strachan. “He was already a world-class player, and Garnacho is similar in that he’s not scared of anything.
“He’s been so positive for Manchester United. You just have to make sure he has the right people around him; that’s what worries me.
“Having said that, there are also some good professionals who have done very well over the years, Casimiro being one of them, if he listens to experience he has a real chance to become a top player.”