Manchester United endured one thing of a rollercoaster of feelings on Sunday afternoon after slipping to a last-gasp defeat to Premier League rivals Arsenal, with targets from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus in added time serving to to safe a 3-1 victory for Mikel Arteta’s facet.
The end result of that thrilling contest might, nonetheless, have been far completely different had Alejandro Garnacho‘s 88th-minute strike not been dominated out for what was an agonisingly tight offside name, with it wanting on the time as if United had pulled off a outstanding smash and seize on the Emirates.
Alas, the purpose was chalked off and a mad finale quickly ensued, though Crimson Devils boss Erik ten Hag will possible nonetheless have been impressed by the composed nature of {the teenager}’s end, with the goal now prone to attempt to discover a beginning berth for the 19-year-old as soon as the worldwide break is at an finish.
How did Garnacho carry out towards Arsenal?
Whereas the previous Atletico Madrid ace was launched off the bench with only a matter of minutes left to play on the weekend amid United’s seek for a winner, it’s testomony to his influence as a “game-changer” – as described by Manchester Night Information journalist Samuel Luckhurst – that he was capable of make his mark simply moments later, albeit with the purpose not finally standing.
As Luckhurst famous in his post-match participant scores piece for MEN, the 5 foot 11 ahead ‘took his probability fantastically‘ as he calmly slotted the ball previous a sprawling Aaron Ramsdale, with that try a sign that the teenager is hoping to construct on his tally of ten targets and assists in what was a breakthrough marketing campaign final day trip.
The difficulty at current is, nonetheless, {that a} beginning function within the facet appears to be like onerous to come back by for the Madrid native, with Marcus Rashford’s desire for taking part in off the left flank making certain that Garnacho might must play second fiddle to the Englishman in that huge berth.
That being mentioned, nonetheless, with United having ended the sport with Garnacho, Rashford and summer time signing Rasmus Hojlund as an attacking triumvirate, Ten Hag should absolutely be in search of a solution to stick with that entrance line transferring ahead, therefore why slotting the teenager speedster on the appropriate flank could possibly be the right resolution.
Can Garnacho play on the appropriate wing?
Though the £43m-rated wizard has usually lined up on the left throughout his embryonic senior profession up to now, he has additionally been deployed on the other flank all through his time within the youth set-up occasionally, scoring 4 targets and offering 4 assists in simply eight outings in that place in complete.
With Rashford – who scored 30 targets final time period – arguably the principle man in assault, it’s little question truthful for Garnacho to be the participant who’s pressured to shift function within the attacking unit, with the goal of ousting the struggling Antony.
The latter man has been a agency favorite of Ten Hag after signing from Ajax on an £86m deal final summer time, though that continued religion within the 23-year-old from the Dutchman seems to be quite underserved, with the mercurial winger scoring simply eight targets in 48 video games for the membership up to now.
The Brazil worldwide has additionally failed to fireplace up to now this time period after failing to supply a solitary purpose or help within the high flight this season, with it tough to see the knowledge in persisting with such an unreliable asset.
There could also be considerations over seeing Garnacho function in what can be one thing of a brand new function, though the case of Diogo Dalot is usually a purpose for positivity, with the Portugal worldwide having shone after being utilised as an unorthodox left-back choice on the weekend.
A right-back by commerce, the 24-year-old has been tasked with filling the void of the stricken Luke Shaw in current video games and – his sliding try and attempt to deny Jesus on the demise apart – the previous Porto ace was largely quite spectacular up towards the vigorous Bukayo Saka, having “defended rather well” – in line with membership legend Gary Neville.
With Ten Hag having seen the advantages of creating that albeit enforced tactical tweak, maybe the 53-year-old can do the identical by utilising Garnacho on the appropriate flank as soon as play resumes later this month.
