Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho will face a fight to get into the starting XI when the likes of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro return to the side, according to former Red Devils striker Louis Saha.
Garnacho has impressed during what is his first full season in the United squad. After initially competing for game time in the Europa League, the 18-year-old winger has now become an important part of manager Erik ten Hag's squad.
Garnacho scored a vital winner in the 2-1 win over Fulham in November, one of three goals he has netted in all competitions this season.
He also scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League in October, and struck a superb goal in the 2-0 win over Leeds on Sunday.
Advert
The player and his representatives are in talks with United over a new long-term contract, and Fabrizio Romano claimed earlier this week that both parties were in 'very advanced' talks.
Garnacho, therefore, looks set to be a United player for a long time to come, and his impressive performances this season underline what a talent he is.
Saha, however, does see some hurdles that the winger, who was born in Madrid and has represented both Spain and Argentina at youth level, needs to overcome.
Garnacho sent Man Utd warning
Saha, who played for United between 2004 and 2008, told Paddy Power (quotes via Daily Express): "Alejandro Garnacho is a very exciting player. He has shown this season that he can be an impact player but at the same time, he can improve and be a starter.
"He has to learn a bit of tactical awareness and how to get the goals and assists. He will have to wait a bit because the team is full of quality. Going forward, there are a lot of players who can create and score goals.
"It's not like United of a few years ago where there was a young Rashford and others where the quality wasn't of the highest level. That's not the case anymore and he [Garnacho] will need to learn and not expect to play every weekend.
"At the moment, I don't see him getting into the starting lineup. When Christian Eriksen and Casemiro are back fit, there are some quality international players on the bench and he's only 18 years old. So he can't have guarantees - it's not a small club here.
"If he thinks he deserves to play because of his talent, he's wrong. Talent is not enough. Enough means that every time you play, you score or assist. He can't expect anything right now.
"He's only scored a few goals – which is good – but that's nowhere near enough asking to be involved every week."
Whilst Garnacho does play in a different position to the above players, their returns - along with the comebacks of Anthony Martial and Antony - will mean plenty of competition for places. Casemiro has served one match of a three-match ban, while Eriksen is injured until late April.
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Alejandro Garnacho, Louis Saha
Ryan Smart