'He reminds me of Rooney' - Man Utd's Garnacho hailed for having two RARE qualities

Cameron Smith

25 Mar 2024 15:18 GMT
3 min read

Alejandro Garnacho, Wayne Rooney, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Former Manchester United midfielder Gordon Strachan has compared Alejandro Garnacho to Wayne Rooney and urged the rest of the Red Devils squad to follow his lead.

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Garnacho, 19, has emerged as a key player at Old Trafford this campaign and he is now a fully-fledged Argentina international after making his debut against Australia last year.

He has ousted €95 million signing Antony as Erik ten Hag’s first-choice right winger and is a contender to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2023-24 Premier League season.

Garnacho’s form has caught the eye of Strachan, who made 180 Man Utd appearances during his playing career at Old Trafford.

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What has Gordon Strachan said?

Speaking to UtdDistrict, Starchan was quick to praise Garnacho and he urged the rest of the Man Utd squad to mirror his passion for the game.

“Alejandro Garnacho has that drive and that willingness to get better in every moment. It’s rare in that dressing room.

“He’s only 19, and he still wants to get better and better. He reminds me of the attitude that everyone had in the dressing room 20 or 30 years ago.

“He has what the whole squad needs to get back because winning is the only thing that matters at Manchester United.

“Garnacho reminds me of Wayne Rooney when he joined the club,” Strachan continued. “He was already a world-class player, and Garnacho is similar in that he’s not scared of anything.

© IMAGO - Alejandro Garnacho (centre), with Rasmus Hojlund (left) and Kobbie Mainoo (right)

“He’s been so positive for Manchester United. You just have to make sure he has the right people around him; that’s what worries me.

He added: “Having said that, there are also some good professionals who have done very well over the years, Casimiro being one of them, if he listens to experience he has a real chance to become a top player.”

Garnacho has five goals and three assists in 26 Premier League games so far this campaign.