With Marcus Rashford’s poor form, Man United can hope that Alejandro Garnacho will make an impact when given the opportunity to start in the upcoming matches.

Garnacho shows improvement with each match for Man United. Photo: AFP

Despite winning against Brentford, Man United’s performance was not enough to ease existing worries. Since the beginning of the season, the home team at Old Trafford has never brought a feeling of peace of mind to fans. Victory over the “Bees” can bring confidence to the whole team, but Erik ten Hag needs to make changes to bring more balance.

Marcus Rashford is becoming the focus of criticism. After scoring 30 goals/season for the first time in the 2022-2023 season, the English striker has only had 1 goal since the beginning of the season against Arsenal in round 4 of the Premier League. A paradox is taking place when Ten Hag still has absolute trust in Rashford when the 26-year-old star is always named in the starting lineup.

Rashford is the nаme that has left the biggest disappointment at Man United this season. Photo: AFP

Since taking charge at Man United, Ten Hag has often mentioned the importance of having two players competing for the same position. For example, the additions of Sofyan Amrabat and Rasmus Hojlund this past summer created much-needed competition with Casemiro and Anthony Martial in their respective positions. As for Rashford, Man United does not need to recruit anyone else to find competition. Both Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho entered this season with great determination to compete for positions on the left wing of the “Red Devils”.

Currently, Sancho has been removed from Ten Hag’s plans after conflicts that occurred last month and Garnacho is still an unknown if used regularly. The 19-year-old player has appeared 9 times out of Man United’s 11 matches in all competitions this season. The young Argentinian talent often starts from the bench and has only appeared on the field 3 times from the start. The last time Garnacho started, Man United’s “number 17” contributed a goal in a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the third round of the League Cup.

Alejandro Garnacho showed efficiency every time he was given the opportunity. Photo: Manchester United

The goal against Crystal Palace helped Garnacho score his third goal as a starter. Most of the contributions of players born in 2004 came from his substitution on the field. Since debuting with Man United’s first team, the Argentine striker has had 6 goals and 5 assists. Notably, Garnacho contributed 8 goals to goals from the bench. This raises questions about whether the 19-year-old is ready to play regularly?

It cannot be denied that Garnacho has a greater impact when he comes off the bench. Given Rashford’s ineffectiveness, Garnacho could start from the start in the match against Sheffield United next weekend.

Speaking after the victory over Crystal Palace in the League Cup, Ten Hag said: “You saw at the beginning of the season, we let Garnacho start, he had a little impact on the match but that was not enough.”

“You always see Garnacho as a threаt in the match even when he is not in good form. He needs to practice more” – Ten Hag shared.

Alejandro Garnacho needs to be given more starting opportunities. Photo: Manchester United