I’m the main man- Alejandro Garnacho rivals Rashford for Utd top star
Alejandro Garnacho warms up for Manchester United
Darren Bent has praised Alejandro Garnacho for not being scared of the presence of the likes of Marcus Rashford, as he knows “I’m the main man.”
Expectations on Garnacho were high coming into senior football as a result of seven goals and three assists in six games of a triumphant FA Youth Cup campaign in 2021/22.
Since then, he’s progressed well in the first team, with 12 goals and seven assists in 67 outings. Seven of those goals and two assists have come this term, with Garnacho also surely winning goal of the season for his overhead kick strike against Everton.
The 19-year-old has had the same impact in terms of goals as United star player Rashford, and Bent thinks it’s a good thing that Garnacho is not wary of that big a presence being ahead of him in the side, as he knows he gets in on merit.
“I will tell you what. Garnacho, the boy is on fire, isn’t he? Keep doing the Ronaldo celebrations. The Messi boys will be out for him when he goes back to Argentina,” Bent said on talkSPORT.
“A lot of players in that position, and I have seen it, where the player who is playing in front of them, like Rashford, is such a big key presence that you are almost scared to go and grab that opportunity because you are thinking, ‘How is the manager ever going to pick me over someone like Marcus Rashford?’
“Garnacho has just gone, ‘I don’t really care. I am the main man. I want to play every single game.’ Fair play to him. I am a huge fan of his.”
Garnacho has started 15 Premier League games this season, and has been picked on the left wing instead of Rashford on occasion, taking his position for four games running in December.
The youngster has been shifted to the right wing of late, and bagged a brace against Aston Villa from there recently, before doing the same against West Ham last time out.
His form on the right has coincided with a resurgence on the left from Rashford, and both players being at the top of their respective games is obviously great for United.
Garnacho can certainly be the main man, but if he and his attacking partner can co-exist in the role, the Red Devils can surely have some success.
Manchester City’s continued dominance has stopped being a surprise, according to former United star, which means they will not receive the right amount of praise until their era of dominance ends
Rio Ferdinand believes Man City will get a new level of respect once Pep Guardiola leaves.
Rio Ferdinand believes Man City will get a new level of respect once Pep Guardiola leaves.
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City will earn a higher level of praise for their achievements when Pep Guardiola leaves as manager.
And the former England centre back says the “ridiculous standard” set by the reigning Premier League champions in recent years has meant no one is surprised by their ongoing success and there is a risk the average punter could become bored – just like when he was marshalling United’s defence 15 years ago.
Speaking in his role as a pundit on TNT Sports before City hosted Everton in Saturday’s early kick off, Ferdinand said: “When their period comes to an end, which is hopefully not too far, that’s when I think people will appreciate what they’ve done properly.
“When Pep eventually leaves here, he’ll be lauded to another level because of what he’s achieved. It felt similar to my time at Man United because when you’re winning consistently, people do get bored at times – I’m not saying anyone is getting bored of Man City winning again but people aren’t as surprised anymore.
“It isn’t a surprise that Erling Haaland has 40-plus goals or Kevin De Bruyne is at the top of the assist charts or if they’re on a 20-plus unbeaten run. It’s a ridiculous standard they’ve set themselves now.”
City had to display plenty of patience when defeating Everton at the Etihad as they returned to the top of the league table – for a couple of hours at least.
But just when it looked like Sean Dyche’s relegation threatened side (who were unable to have their manager on the touchline owing to a suspension) may frustrate their hosts and leave with a point, fit again Erling Haaland broke the deadlock in the 71st minute.
Pep Guardiola saw his Man City side defeat Everton on Saturday
Pep Guardiola saw his Man City side defeat Everton on Saturday
The first was assisted by Nathan Ake, before De Bruyne teed the Norwegian striker up for his second five minutes from the end. They were Haaland’s first goals in the league since suffering a stress reaction in his leg in November.
City have now won 10 games in a row in all competitions with just a single defeat in 23 matches since being beaten by title rivals Arsenal in October. Guardiola’s team travel to Copenhagen for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday before hosting Chelsea in the league next weekend.
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