Erik ten Hag explains why Alejandro Garnacho is ahead of Man Utd stars like Jadon Sancho
Garnacho #Garnacho
Erik ten Hag felt compelled to start Alejandro Garnacho against Leeds over his fellow Manchester United wingers because of the recent impact the youngster has made off the bench.
Garnacho, 18, was deployed on the left wing in Wednesday night’s Premier League fixture while Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Elanga had to settle for spots among the substitutes. It marked the teenager’s third top-flight start of the season and it came after Antony, a mainstay on the flank under Ten Hag, suffered a knock to his leg.
The Brazilian’s injury left the United manager with a decision to make, and he chose to shift Marcus Rashford from the left wing to the right and bring Garnacho into the line-up. Speaking ahead of kick-off, Ten Hag explained that Garnacho’s hunger and performances as a substitute had earned him his start.
“He has such an impact [from the bench] to change the game,” Ten Hag told MUTV of the Argentine. “But, also, he wants to be a starter, he wants to play every minute and this is a good opportunity. I think previously in a lot of games when he was in the starting XI, he was also very good.”
Garnacho and Rashford supported centre-forward Wout Weghorst, while Bruno Fernandes lined up in the No.10 role. There was a first start in midfield for on-loan Bayern Munich star Marcel Sabitzer following his substitute appearance against Crystal Palace last weekend.
The Austrian came off the bench to help United see out a 2-1 victory over the Eagles and came into the starting XI due to Casemiro’s three-match ban for grabbing Will Hughes’ neck. “He is experienced, understands football and the way we want to play,” Ten Hag said of Sabitzer ahead of kick-off. “So I’m confident we have a good midfield and a good team today.”
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There was also a change to Ten Hag’s regular defence, with Diogo Dalot restored at right-back – alongside Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw – in place of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was ruled out of the fixture through illness. “He played matches [after the World Cup] but then he relapsed,” Ten Hag said of Dalot.
“Now, he is ready. He trained well. He was involved in group training the last few days. I think he’s ready to start.”
The Red Devils’ fixture against Leeds was the first of two games against their old rivals in five days, and the Old Trafford visitors got off to the perfect start thanks to Wilfried Gnonto’s first-minute strike. Ten Hag’s side travel to Elland Road for the reverse game on Sunday afternoon.