Alejandro Garnacho Responds to Manchester United Locker Room Warning

Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United has signed a new contract, but there were worries about his attitude at the start of the season.

When posing with his Manchester United contract extension last week, Alejandro Garnacho had more than one reason to smile.

Garnacho had just signed a new five-year deal to extend his tenure at Old Trafford until the summer of 2028 and it was also the first time his sparkling new teeth had been unveiled to the public, signifying the start of his ‘Cristiano Ronaldo makeover’.

Ronaldo, like Garnacho, arrived in Manchester as a gawky youngster. By the time Ronaldo moved for Real Madrid six years later, he had won the Ballon d’Or and established himself as one of the world’s two best players.

Garnacho’s career will be a success even if he only reaches a fraction of what Ronaldo has. The youngster appears to have a comparable raw, intriguing talent, and the amount of work he puts in will determine how far he can grow at United.

Ronaldo was hungry for victory and sought more training from the Carrington trainers. Garnacho must take a similar approach, and he must ensure that the reservations about his attitude are forgotten.

Last season, the winger was outstanding in the FA Youth Cup and was rewarded with a place on the first team’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, but he was the only outfield player who did not play a single minute.

That seemed like an odd decision, made even stranger by Erik ten Hag giving someone like Tahith Chong a chance to play. Chong had already demonstrated that he was not up to the club’s standards, and it was inevitable that he would leave.

Ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes later stated that Garnacho’s attitude had let him down on that tour. The manager was not impressed, and an honest Fernandes stated that ‘he was not at his best’ and that ‘he knows we expect a lot from him’.

Garnacho has established himself in the first-team since the pre-season tour, and he has made 29 appearances this season. He has four goals and five assists, and his direct style has fans on the edge of their seats on a regular basis.

Garnacho has been a genuine breath of new air in an era where wingers like to cut inside and are hesitant to beat the opposing full-back, and his mindset must have improved given the opportunities he’s been given.

Garnacho appears to believe his own hype, but Ten Hag is certainly the ideal manager for him. The Dutchman is keeping the youngster honest and his feet on the ground, which is critical for his development.

Garnacho recently spoke to club media on the impact of Ten Hag and his coaching team, saying, “I will always be very grateful to the manager Erik, and to the coaching staff as well.” At my age, it’s difficult to make the first team in my first full season.

“So the fact they have shown so much confidence in me and given me these opportunities is something I will always be very grateful for. Also, when there have been tough moments where I’ve not been playing, I’m so grateful to the staff.

“And in fact, to everyone at this club. I’m really keen to get back playing again after almost a month and a half out. I can’t wait to get back to Old Trafford and to hear the fans chanting my name. it really gives me goosebumps.”

Garnacho has come across nicely in the footage published since his contract renewal, and his remarks about being grateful indicate that he has grown this season. It’s easy to forget that he’ll only be 19 in July.

The athlete, who lives in Manchester with his family, is also about to become a father, and everything points to him creating a good environment outside of football, which will undoubtedly help him fulfill his full potential as a player.

If concerns about Garnacho’s mentality are allayed, the sky is the limit for him.