The teenager was ‘a little bit too big for his boots’ in the summer (Pictures: Getty / BT Sport)
Paul Scholes has praised Alejandro Garnacho’s recent performances for Manchester United and believes they show he has overcome the attitude issues flagged by Bruno Fernandes.
The Argentine winger netted an excellent goal in Thursday night’s 1-0 win over Real Sociedad, latching on to Cristiano Ronaldo’s pass, bursting through on goal and firing a powerful effort into the roof of the net.
Garnacho rarely featured at the start of the campaign but has been a livewire in recent outings, with manager Erik ten Hag revealing that he ‘had not been happy’ with the youngster – and his attitude – when he first arrived at the club.
After the win over Sociedad in the Europa League – which was not by a big enough margin to secure top spot – Fernandes also brought up Garnacho’s issues, echoing his manager’s previous comments.
‘At the beginning of the season he was not at his best. In the [pre-season] tour he didn’t have the best attitude that he should have, and that’s why he didn’t get his chances until now,’ Fernandes told BT Sport.
‘He’s getting his chances because he’s training better, he’s got a different attitude and he’s deserving his chances.’
Scholes appeared a little surprised by how candid Fernandes was about Garnacho, but feels the 18-year-old has clearly won over his team-mates – and manager – with his change in attitude and deserves his chance in the side.
Garnacho netted the only goal of the night in San Sebastian (Picture: Getty)
Asked what he made of Fernandes’ remarks, the United legend replied: ‘He said that was pre-season so he was obviously a little bit big for his boots, maybe a little bit above his station.
‘I think he did go with Argentina, playing with [Lionel] Messi, maybe he thought he’s coming back, “This is me, I’m part of this team”.
‘But he’s a young lad, he’s going to learn, obviously his attitude has changed and we’re seeing the benefits of that.
‘He looks a really top-class young player, still a long way to go, he’s 18 years of age, he was really good last week in the home game and scored a really good goal tonight, so there was clearly an attitude problem but it seems like he’s got over it.’
Speaking before the match, he said of Garnacho: ‘He was so impressive [against FC Sheriff] and so confident. There are not that many wide players these days that can beat a man on either side.
‘I think he is capable of going down the left, he’s capable of going down the right, he looks like he has got a goal in him and has got an assist in him. The players being injured – Martial, Sancho and Antony – probably will help him. But this lad is a real talent.’
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‘He was obviously a little bit big for his boots…’
