Erik ten Hag’s decision to switch Garnacho to the right was something of a masterstroke in United’s 3-2 comeback win against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
He scored twice and had a third ruled out for offside at Old Trafford, with Marcus Rashford on the left and Rasmus Hojlund down the middle.
An illness to Hojlund disrupted that front three in the 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest that followed. But they started together again against Wigan and, while lacking a clinical touch, looked dangerous.
Garnacho has shot to stardom since becoming a regular in Ten Hag’s senior squad last season, boasting a mammoth online following consisting of supporters in awe of his sky-high potential.
With first-team experience has come maturity. The Argentina international, who has already shared a dressing room with Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, won’t be intimidated by anyone on the football pitch.
In the latter stages of Monday’s FA Cup win, Wigan substitute Callum McManaman tested Garnacho’s nerve with a half-hearted tackle that looked like an attempt to rile up the teenager.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive Man Utd news.
Garnacho stood his ground by pushing the 32-year-old, who wore a smug grin, having garnered the reaction he craved.
But the United No 17 earned plaudits from the club’s supporters as cameras caught him ending the interaction by, with a stern look on his face, asking: “Who the f**k are you?”
Some will view that as a sign of an attitude problem that has plagued the United dressing room across a disappointing decade since Sir Alex Ferguson’s strict rule diminished.
However, many loved it, and rightly so. Garnacho continues to show the character required to make it as a star player for one of the world’s elite clubs.
