Erik ten Hag believes Alejandro Garnacho has the ‘X-factor’ needed to become a world-class player, but warns that the Manchester United star still ‘has a long way to go’.
Garnacho had a successful 2023-24 season, establishing himself as a vital first-team player by scoring the season’s goal against Everton and scoring in the FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
Following a Copa America campaign with Argentina, the 20-year-old was among those who returned to training late this summer after a lengthy absence, starting the Community Shield versus City on the bench before scoring.
Garnacho is pushing for a start against Brighton on Saturday, having got the assist for Joshua Zirkzee’s winner against Fulham in the league opener last week.
Asked what he needs to do to go the next level and show he is a world-class player, ten Hag told a press conference on Friday: ‘Ah, you are going very quickly. World-class player, then he has to go a long way.
‘He has high potential, 100 per cent. He showed last season he can contribute, he can be a starting XI player.
‘But to make the jump to become a world-class player, a long way to go and it starts with very hard work.
‘That brought him where he is now and that will bring him to that world-class player because – and that is where I agree – he has the potential (to become).’
Garnacho has scored 16 goals in 87 appearances for the senior side with only Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes outscoring him last season. Ten Hag went onto challenge Garnacho to find further consistency to his game.
‘I agree we need but I think every club in the top needs players with, let’s say, the X factor,” Ten Hag said.
‘We already have seen on occasions that he has shows this X factor, but also others in our squad already have shown it.
‘So, if you want to be that player where your colleague is talking about “world class” then you have to do it consistently.’