14 May 2023 , 21:30
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When he signed a new deal last month, Alejandro Garnacho paid tribute to Manchester United's senior players for keeping him grounded.
Garnacho singled out Argentina compatriot Lisandro Martinez, who has been a father figure for him, while others, like Bruno Fernandes and Casemerio, have helped guide him.
When he came on at Old Trafford with eight minutes left, his first appearance after a two-month injury lay-off, the reception Garnacho received from the United fans was electrifying.
Chants of 'Viva Garnacho' – modified from the original song saluting Cristiano Ronaldo – rang out around the Theatre of Dreams, as the dynamic young forward prepared to come on.
Garnacho duly delivered, sealing the game in added time with a composed finish, then hurling his shirt into the air as he basked in the tumultuous outpouring of adoration and acclaim.
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At 18, blessed with such huge talent and a lucrative new contract, it would be easy for Garnacho to let such adulation go to his head and lose his way, on and off the pitch, as has happened with many gifted young players.
But United skipper Fernandes, who provided the assist for Garancho's goal, is one of many senior figures at the club who are ensuring the rising star does not let his ego outweigh his talent.
“What I have to say to Garna, I say to him at the training ground, whenever we're eating, wherever,” said Fernandes. “If he wants to hear, he hears. If not, he doesn't, but I try to help.
“I think he did an interview talking about me trying to help him a lot of times, and that's what I'm trying to do. Obviously, he's still young, and I don't want to give too much compliments, because, you know, when you're young and you get too many compliments, you can get a little bit relaxed and everything.
Alejandro Garnacho has impressed for Manchester United this season (Getty Images)“But I think if he wasn't doing what he needed to do, he wouldn't be playing.”
United manager Erik ten Hag has also been key in nurturing Garancho, keeping him in check when it comes to team rules and discipline.
When Garnacho turned up late for a team meeting on United's pre-season tour last summer, he was reprimanded by Ten Hag and did not play another minute on the trip.
Fernandes acknowledged the impressive way Ten Hag has handled Garnacho and the impact it has had on the youngster.
“At the beginning of the season, the manager didn't give him many chances, because he thought that he wasn't being the best he could,” said Fernandes. “Now he's getting his chances and playing a lot this season because he's training well and doing what he has to do.
Bruno Fernandes is keen to keep the youngster grounded (Getty Images)“He's getting his rewards and the team are getting the rewards as well - and that's the most important thing. Obviously, he was already very good playing for the youth team, but it's a big difference playing in the Premier League.
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“He's training every day with us, which makes him more prepared for the games. Mentally he's much better also and I think he understands what it takes to be a professional player.
“We know he can change games, he plays with pace, he can take players on, but he's still developing, so we don't have to put too much on him, because he's still a young kid.
“He can do great things, but in the future, he has to do much better than he is actually doing, because he has the capabilities to be even better.”