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Paul Scholes compares Alejandro Garnacho to Cristiano Ronaldo after 18-year-old shines in first Manchester United start
Alejandro Garnacho was handed his first Manchester United start against Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday night, and Paul Scholes was mightily impressed.
Manchester United ran out 3-0 winners at Old Trafford on Thursday to keep up the pressure on Real Sociedad at the top of Group E.
The Red Devils were extremely comfortable throughout the whole match, which allowed Garnacho to shine on United’s left flank.
The 18-year-old winger played 79 minutes before receiving a standing ovation from Old Trafford when he was replaced by Donny van de Beek.
Shortly after the full-time whistle, United legend Scholes piled praise on Garnacho for his performance.
Speaking to BT Sport, Scholes said: “This crowd loves entertainment and this lad was really entertaining – almost like a young Cristiano [Ronaldo].
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“Some wingers can only go one way and he’s a right-footed winger playing on the left-hand side and sometimes they can’t go both ways but he did.
“He could do both and it makes you so unpredictable.
“He probably missed a goal or an assist but I thought his performance was exciting. Really exciting for an 18-year-old kid. He’s definitely one for the future.”
Theatre of Dreams
Many United fans will have followed Garnacho since he joined from Atletico Madrid for £420,000 in 2020. [The Mirror].
He was immediately considered one of United’s most talented youngsters and was a star for the Red Devils in their successful FA Youth Cup run last season.
Erik ten Hag was clearly impressed by what he saw, as Garnacho was then handed a start in United’s final pre-season fixture against Rayo Vallecano in July.
Ever since, he’s been on the brink of the first team, with Ten Hag eager to include him in training sessions. He showed exactly why on Thursday, and the Dutchman will definitely plan to give him more minutes after such a strong first outing.
But it’s not just with Manchester United that Garnacho is shining either. He’s eligible to play for both Spain and Argentina, and the latter seems eager to snap him up after naming him in a 44-man World cup qualifiers squad back in March. [BBC]
Garnacho clearly has a very promising future ahead, so while Scholes’ Ronaldo comparisons do come a little early, perhaps they do have a bit of weight to them.
In other Manchester United news, Erik ten Hag says Facundo Pellistri is still yet to ‘convince’ at Manchester United