Alejandro Garnacho has twice cemented his status as a Manchester United fan favourite this week. The Argentina international’s stunning bicycle kick against Everton showed his class on the pitch, and a wholesome interaction with one young supporter outside the club’s Carrington training complex portrayed his true colours off it.
Acrobatically meeting Diogo Dalot’s cross to loop a spectacular effort over Jordan Pickford, Garnacho’s opener against Everton was an instant Premier League classic. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial came up with goals of their own in the second half to seal a 3-0 victory amid a hostile atmosphere.
Garnacho is yet to establish himself as a nailed-on starter for the Red Devils, but manager Erik ten Hag admitted that the 19-year-old is capable of doing ‘amazing things’ as he continues to develop.
Signs are positive away from the action, too, as Garnacho warmed hearts with a classy interaction posted to social media on Monday.
Greeted outside the training ground by a young fan, on his birthday, holding a picture of the bicycle kick, Garnacho said: “Wow, what a picture!” The teenager proceeded to hand over a box containing a pair of signed boots.
But they weren’t any old boots, as he continued: “This is my present, my gift. I scored yesterday with these ones. You have to use them!”
A composed display from Kobbie Mainoo in midfield was one of many other positives for Red Devils supporters to take from the contest, and he was withdrawn along with Garnacho well before the full-time whistle.
The substitutions may hint at Ten Hag’s planned line-up for the trip to Galatasaray on Wednesday, with United in desperate need of a win to qualify from Group A.
