Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has opened up on Alejandro Garnacho's form, with the teenager playing an important role for the Red Devils in recent months.
The 18-year-old has now featured on 22 occasions at club level during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring twice and contributing five assists in the process.
Garnacho has been involved in each of Man United's last 10 Premier League matches, and he was in the starting XI against Leeds United on Wednesday night.
Ten Hag has said that he has been pleased with the Argentine's form, with the youngster managing to "impact" matches.
"I think he is doing quite well, he is having an impact. I think he is a threat as we saw yesterday (Wednesday), he had good actions, he was lively, he created great chances but he had to score. Finally it is about that, that you have an effect," the Dutchman told reporters.
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"As a striker, you have to be on that list, the scoring list, the assist list, the key action list. Of course, we expect the other stuff, the base stuff is also important if you can't do the extra, you have to do that.
"That is your base function, but as a Man United player we expect you to have an impact, to influence the score, the result, to have a positive influence on the game by scoring goals and having assists."
Garnacho appeared to be frustrated when he was withdrawn against Leeds on Wednesday, but Ten Hag has insisted that he has no issues with the attacker's reaction to being substituted.
"I don't think it is that he doesn't understand the decision. He's quite emotional, that is his strength that he is bringing in the game. He wants to win, he wants to play football and doesn't want to miss any minutes. I think that is a good thing. He is totally convinced about himself, that's a good thing," he added.
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"You need that under the biggest stress factors that you have to perform, and he is doing [that]. He is contributing to the end but he accepts the decision.
"The team is always above everything and he accepts that. I think when he is coming off that emotion, the frustration is not off that he is not accepting it.
"I think all the players have to be brave and to try as long as it's in the interest of the team. That is what he is doing quite well because he is taking players on, he outplays them, he is creating chances. But yesterday (Wednesday), he should have scored."
Garnacho, who moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, is believed to be close to signing a new contract with Man United until the summer of 2028, with his wages allegedly set to rise to around £30,000 a week.
Matt Law
