Ten Hag Says Garnacho Must Push for Man Utd Starting Role

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 13 May 2023. (EPA)
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 13 May 2023. (EPA)
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Ten Hag Says Garnacho Must Push for Man Utd Starting Role

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 13 May 2023. (EPA)
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 13 May 2023. (EPA)

Manchester United's Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho must push for a starting spot in the Premier League side after an impressive debut season in which the 18-year-old has scored five goals, manager Erik ten Hag said.

Garnacho, who has also made four assists, marked his return from an ankle injury by coming off the bench to score in added time and seal a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

"He came in and did almost everything good and scored a great goal that will give him belief. It's good for us for the rest of the season that he's back and can have an impact," Ten Hag told reporters.

"I'm happy we can bring in young players and, hopefully he will progress so quickly that he can compete for a starting position. Because that is his next challenge."

Asked what Garnacho needed to do to start for United, Ten Hag said: "Making decisions, being aware, scanning situations, when to go one-on-one, get behind, when to go for goal or make an extra pass.

"Decisions like that are what makes a good player a top player - that is the difference. But when you see it overall, he's a huge talent and very brave."

Ten Hag said the pathway into the starting side was open for young players such as Garnacho, who signed a new deal to stay at United until 2028.

"But, in the end, it's about the player - he has to invest and have a plan to do it," the manager added.

United are fourth in the league with 66 points, four ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool with three games to go.



Salah Sets Another Goal Record by Inspiring Liverpool to Victory over Tottenham

Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - December 22, 2024 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their fifth goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - December 22, 2024 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their fifth goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
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Salah Sets Another Goal Record by Inspiring Liverpool to Victory over Tottenham

Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - December 22, 2024 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their fifth goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - December 22, 2024 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their fifth goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

If this is to be Mohamed Salah's final season at Liverpool, he is going out with a bang.
The Egypt forward scored two goals and set up two more in Liverpool's wild 6-3 win at Tottenham on Sunday to become the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists before Christmas in a Premier League season, stats supplier Opta said.
“I didn't think about it before the game, to be fair,” Salah said. “But it's something that makes me happy and proud. I just keep working hard.”
Salah moved onto 15 goals for the campaign and that's more than anyone else, with Manchester City's Erling Haaland the closest rival on 13, The Associated Press reported.
Salah has won the Golden Boot for the leading scorer in the Premier League three times, on his own in 2017-18 before sharing it in 2018-19 and 2021-22.
Salah's contract expires at the end of the season and asked after the match if there was an update on the situation, he said: “No.”