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.



Chelsea Beat Everton 1-0 to Reignite Champions League Hopes

(L) Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match with teammate Noni Madueke during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC, in London, Britain, 26 April 2025. (EPA)
(L) Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match with teammate Noni Madueke during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC, in London, Britain, 26 April 2025. (EPA)
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Chelsea Beat Everton 1-0 to Reignite Champions League Hopes

(L) Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match with teammate Noni Madueke during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC, in London, Britain, 26 April 2025. (EPA)
(L) Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match with teammate Noni Madueke during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC, in London, Britain, 26 April 2025. (EPA)

Chelsea climbed back into contention for next season's Champions League with a 1-0 home win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday thanks to a fine first-half strike by Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegal striker, fed by Enzo Fernandez, drove low into the bottom corner past a diving Jordan Pickford in the 27th minute for his first goal in four months.

The result lifted Enzo Maresca's Chelsea to fourth in the table on 60 points, one point behind Manchester City who are in FA Cup action this weekend. Everton are 13th.

"At this stage of the season, the result is the main thing," Maresca said.

"We are going to be better and better because the players will understand better and better how to play different games."

The home side should have scored more but were thwarted by a stubborn defense and Pickford, who kept out a series of shots, notably from Noni Madueke.

Cole Palmer buzzed round the Everton box, but his three-month goal drought continued as once again Chelsea failed to capitalise on a good start.

They suffered a tense final 15 minutes with Everton, sensing their nerves, forging forward.

Maresca, serving a one-match ban, watched anxiously from the press box, occasionally shouting towards the pitch and dugout as the clock ticked down.

He described his seat as "a disaster" despite having a runner next to him to take messages to the dugout.

"I prefer to be on the bench. You want to say something, but nobody can hear."

Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, who had turned aside a good chance from Beto in the 63rd minute, held on to a shot from Idrissa Gueye minutes later.

And he pulled off a fingertip save in the 88th minute to deny Dwight McNeil and keep his side in front.

The Spanish keeper's form has been in doubt recently after a series of mistakes, but Maresca backed him.

"Robert has already had many good moments this season ... As a human being, you always remember the bad things and not the good things. He has had some very good moments with us," the Italian coach said.

"You can see the teammates how they celebrate with him, also at the end of the game. They know for Robert it has not been a good moment, so they support and helped him."

Pickford also praised his opposite number.

"In the second half we dominated as Chelsea sat in and took the 1-0," he told TNT Sports. "Robert Sanchez made a few good saves so credit to him.

"We weren't far off it but that's the Premier League, you get punished."

The League's top five qualify for the Champions League.