By Sean Fisher

12th Nov, 2022 | 6:10am

Erik ten Hag delivers 'lifestyle' warning to Manchester United wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho came off the Old Trafford bench to register two assists as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 4-2 on Thursday evening.

Garnacho is continuing to break through into the first team at Old Trafford after making his full debut for the club against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League.

After impressing Erik ten Hag, the Argentine winger has enjoyed a spot in the Dutchman’s matchday squad ever since. His latest cameo for the Red Devils came in the 4-2 victory over Aston Villa on Thursday.

Bruno Fernandes recently made headlines for criticising Garnacho’s attitude during the club’s pre-season tour, but Ten Hag echoed his Portuguese midfielder by also handing the 19-year-old a warning over his “lifestyle”.

“It was good that he came on and showed that performance and had that impact in the game, to be able to assist, make the dribbles and run behind,” Ten Hag said after the full-time whistle, as quoted by The Mirror.

“He still has things to learn but quite obviously we are happy with his development and he can contribute to the team. It depends on his approach, his attitude.

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“He wants to improve every day. He has to do the right things in his lifestyle. He has the capability.”

Attitude problem

Garnacho has shown glimpses of brilliance at United, and he’s clearly highly regarded at Old Trafford. But it seems the 18-year-old also boasts a big ego and self-confidence.

Fernandes received a lot of criticism for calling out Garnacho’s off-field behaviour after he scored v Real Sociedad, but it seems the makeshift United captain was trying to get a point across.

Work has clearly gone into helping Garnacho’s attitude off the pitch, and that’s now the team’s impromptu captain and manager that have openly spoken about his lifestyle choices.

So many players have bought into their own hype at a young age and failed to live up to their potential, so it’s hardly a surprise that united are doing their best to stamp it out as early as possible – public shame is one way of doing it.

It seems Garnacho learned from his mistakes and Ten Hag is now rewarding him with a run in the team. He’s been so impressive that Jadon Sancho has struggled to work a way back into the side.

Manchester United fans will hope that this is the last they hear of Garnacho’s off-field issues.

in other Manchester United news, a journalist is not sold on the idea of Jeremie Frimpong joining the Red Devils