Erik ten Hag has revealed his conversation with teenage phenom Alejandro Garnacho prior to Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over West Ham. In the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday night at Old Trafford, the Red Devils overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Hammers 3-1 in the last minutes of the tie. United will now play fellow Premier League compatriots Fulham in the FA Cup quarterfinals at Old Trafford on March 18.
United trailed to a second half Said Benrahma goal, but drew level when Nayef Aguerd headed the ball into his own net. Garnacho’s spectacular goal gave United a 2-1 lead over West Ham in the 90th minute, and Fred’s third goal of the game in stoppage time gave the Red Devils the victory. After the game, Erik ten Hag disclosed that he had advised Garnacho to take advantage of the chance after starting for the Red Devils against the Hammers.
It’s time – Erik ten Hag reveals his message to ‘fearless’ Garnacho
Garnacho, United’s academy product whose contract is valid until 2024 at Old Trafford has made an impression while playing for the first team after making his debut under Erik ten Hag. The 18-year-old has already accumulated 4 goals and 5 assists in 27 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils. According to reports, negotiations for a new contract have already begun between the club and the Spanish-born Argentine winger.
Meanwhile, Garnacho has continued to make his case to be entitled to a lucrative deal at United, once again delivering a blistering performance against the Hammers in the FA Cup. Garnacho completed a comeback win for United after an Aguerd own goal had sparked it. However, it was again Erik ten Hag’s magical pep talk prior to the game which fuelled Garnacho, who started on the night. Ten Hag, while revealing the talk between him and the winger said:
“I see today another step. ‘I said to him before the game, ‘it’s time. You have an impact when you come on but now you have to have an impact as a starter’. And I think he is capable of it, so that is the next step he has to make. It is a great skill when you’re fearless, when you’re brave. I don’t think that it’s a skill that is so specific, there are not so many players in world football who can take players on, who can just out-dribble them and that skill he has.
“But he has more skills than only that, for example, finishing. But also I see he has a big engine, he is fast, he has speed, he can keep running for 90 minutes, for 120 minutes, it doesn’t matter how long, he can do it.”
Following victory against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final last Sunday, United’s attention quickly turned to the FA Cup after winning their first trophy since 2017, an also the first under Erik ten Hag’s regime. The Red Devils struggled against their former manager David Moyes’ West Ham in the first half, failing to generate any significant chances.
Said Benrahma banged the ball into the net to give West Ham an improbable lead in the second half, but the replays appeared to indicate the ball was out of play throughout the buildup. Though VAR awarded the goal. With the game heading towards a stalemate after Nayef Aguerd’s own goal, Garnacho came up to deliver the goods in the dying moments. The Old Trafford was rocked by a superb right-footed finish into the bottom corner. Fred then sealed United’s progression to the quarterfinals by adding a third goal.