'Real deal' Garnacho outshines Man Utd flop Antony again

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • 29 Nov 2023 12:57 CST
  • 3 min read
Alejandro Garnacho, Man Utd, 2023/24
© ProShots

It hasn't been an easy season for Alejandro Garnacho, but the young Argentine is already proving more valuable to Erik ten Hag than Antony.

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Garnacho, like most of Man Utd's attackers, has been ineffectual for most of the season, but in recent times the youngster's impact has been quite astounding. After his Puskas-worthy overhead kick that set United on the path to victory over Everton at the weekend, the 19-year-old again opened the scoring in the Champions League against Galatasaray.

It was an all-too-familiar performance from Man Utd. Ten Hag's Red Devils looked easily frazzled by Galatasaray's intense pressure and despite two moments of brilliance from Garnacho and captain Bruno Fernandes, who scored with a spectacular strike from outside the box, United never looked in control, exemplified by Andre Onana second-guessing himself on Hakim Ziyech's free-kick and ultimately conceding.

It was also an all-too-familiar performance from Antony. The Brazilian was once again a ghost for most of his time on the pitch and put in yet another underwhelming shift. His production this season is still a grand total of zero goals and zero assists.

Antony
© ProShots - Antony

Garnacho praised

While Garnacho's record this term is nothing to write home about either, he does have two more goals than his €95 million counterpart on the right wing. The Argentine has been more valuable than the Brazilian so far this campaign.

Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand, who has been criticised by Garnacho's brother for 'making up' the rumour that Lionel Messi had unfollowed his international teammate on social media because of his unabashed preference for Cristiano Ronaldo, heaped praise on the youngster after his finish over the Turkish giants.

"Garnacho is the real deal, there is no doubt in my mind," said Ferdinand on TNT Sports, reacting to his opener against Galatasaray. "He has ice in his veins."

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