Lionel Messi Gives Blessings To Manchester United Youngster After Erik Ten Hag Arrival

Lionel Messi is said to have been impressed with Alejandro Garnacho's ability and confidence from when the Manchester United youngster trained with Argentina's first team, according to reports.

The 17-year-old winger was rewarded with a call-up to the Argentina first-team back in March for World Cup qualifiers.

It was following on from some great form for United's youth side, and while Garnacho did not play during his time away with Lionel Scaloni's men, he was able to impress in the training sessions.

The man in charge of the South American side is already excited by the potential of Garnacho, according to Steve Bates of The Mirror.

His feelings are matched by some of the stars in the team.

Lionel Messi is said to be impressed by young winger's ability and confidence when training with the senior side.

Scouts from Europe's top clubs, who flocked to the South of France for the Revello tournament, were also impressed by Garnacho, who stood out in the tournament for Argentina Under-20s.

He scored four goals in as many games and one of those was a sublime free-kick into the top corner against France.

With support from Messi, one of the greatest players there has ever been, it is no surprise that United are trying to tie Garnacho down to a long-term deal at Old Trafford.

The Reds are planning to offer the 17-year-old a six year deal, in efforts to fight off competition that they will undoubtedly have for the Argentine.

Erik ten Hag is also planning for the wide man to have a much more involved role with the first team next season.

The Dutchman has told senior staff at the United that he intends to fast-track the player's United career.

This is after he received a detailed report on the teenager, after asking head of Academy Nick Cox to provide him with one so that he could learn more about his game.

Garnacho joined the club in the summer of 2020 from Atletico Madrid.

He was among a small group of talent that switched sunny Spain for Manchester in attempts to better their careers.

Alvaro Fernandez and Marc Jurado are two more exciting academy players. The former was United's Under-23s Player of the Year, while the latter was a key player in United's FA Youth Cup victory and was arguably Man of the Match in the final despite Garnacho's brace.

Those two will certainly be ones for the future. However, it seems that Ten Hag believes that Garnacho could be one for the now.