Alejandro Garnacho’s Manchester United Breakthrough Evokes Memories Of Cristiano Ronaldo

The comparisons were immediate. Alejandro Garnacho’s late winner for Manchester United against Fulham on Sunday evoked strong memories of another late winner scored by another young winger against the same team and at the same venue. It wasn’t the first time parallels have been drawn between Garnacho and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo scored an iconic goal for Manchester United all the way back in 2007, cutting inside off the left wing to place a finish into the far corner of the net. Garnacho did similar to secure an important 2-1 win, showing composure beyond his years to convert the opportunity from inside the penalty box.

Garnacho has enjoyed an electrifying breakthrough in recent weeks. The 18-year-old scored on only his second start against Real Sociedad in the Europa League and followed that up by registering two assists in the Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa last week. His first PremierPINC
League goal had been in the pipeline.

Like Ronaldo in his teenage years, Garnacho is quick to take on opposition players. Ten Hag’s system gives Manchester United control of possession, but it relies on difference-makers who can break open a game. This is partly why Garnacho has quickly become an important player at Old Trafford this season – United don’t have many players like him.

Ten Hag and even some Manchester United players have spoken about Garnacho’s attitude and how he must remain focused to fulfil his potential. Ten Hag revealed the young Argentine had been set to make his full debut earlier this season until concerns over his commitment to the cause arose. Garnacho must keep working hard.

“This shows what talent can do but it is still a long way to go,” said Ten Hag after Garnacho’s winning goal against Fulham. “He has to keep his feet on the ground. He has to do much more investment. Big players know that, young players don’t know. Now it’s a four-week break, that’s already a danger for him, because he now has momentum.

“Let’s see how he’s coming back. We have to manage that with him. His attitude is good and I’m certain he will have an impact. The danger is four weeks, no games, lose focus, less investment. It’s only when he stays on the same attitude that he’s working the last three, four or five weeks the process will keep going and his progress will keep going. If not, it goes the other way around.”

If Manchester United can harness Garnacho in the right way, they will have a superstar on their hands. The teenager has all the talent to reach the elite level of the game, as demonstrated by the impact he has made over the last few weeks. Ronaldo make a similar breakthrough on his way to becoming one of the best players in the world. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Garnacho could follow this trajectory too.