Alejandro Garnacho has established himself as one of the first names on Erik ten Hag’s teamsheet this season, starting his 33rd consecutive match against Burnley on Saturday. However, last weekend’s developments served as a reminder that the Manchester United winger’s progression can’t afford to stall.
No outfield player has featured more often than Garnacho this season; Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot join him on 45 appearances, one behind goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The 19-year-old has scored nine goals and provided a further five assists, a higher tally in both metrics than since his senior breakthrough in 2022.
Garnacho has a long way to go until he realises his sky-high potential, though, and his inconsistency in front of goal was on show again during the 1-1 draw against Burnley.
He blitzed Vincent Kompany’s defence at times in one-on-ones at Old Trafford, creating three chances for his teammates, and he was unfortunate not to have won at least one penalty.
But Garnacho also should’ve scored to hand the hosts the lead before Antony’s 79th-minute strike, which wasn’t enough for three points.
Zeki Amdouni’s late penalty rescued a point for relegation-bound Burnley, intensifying the already-rife pressure on Ten Hag.
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Garnacho may have started every United match since November 1, but his status as an untouchable force in the attack could be under threat next season.
Antony has slipped behind him in the pecking order but scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Burnley. He was one of United’s better players in Marcus Rashford’s absence.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho scored a sensational strike in Borussia Dortmund’s 4-1 defeat at RB Leipzig, his second Bundesliga goal since returning in January.
Facundo Pellistri was also on the scoresheet, notching his second of the La Liga campaign in Granada’s 3-0 win against CA Osasuna.
And Mason Greenwood continued his impressive return season elsewhere in Spain, scoring twice and registering an assist in Getafe’s 3-1 triumph at UD Almeria.
After 18 months out of action, he has now scored 10 goals this term, more than all but two United players in all competitions. INEOS have a decision to make this summer.
All three loanees have been tipped to leave United permanently this summer, with at least one new forward expected to arrive.
But they are capable of providing Garnacho with strong competition, and the pressure may start to rise if the Argentine can’t begin scoring more regularly.
