Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has urged for calm in the wake of his young forward’s remarkable performance against Everton on Sunday.
Alejandro Garnacho played a pivotal role in securing victory for the Red Devils, stunning the crowd at Goodison Park with an overhead kick within three minutes.
In the early moments of the Premier League fixture in Liverpool, Diogo Dalot delivered a precise cross from the right side to Garnacho.
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Positioned in space on the left, the Argentine leaped into the air, executing a flawless overhead effort that found the top corner, leaving Jordan Pickford with no chance.
Facing financial irregularity allegations and a recent points deduction, Everton started the day in the bottom three.
Despite a hostile atmosphere at Goodison, Garnacho’s extraordinary goal silenced the home support, and the 19-year-old celebrated with Ronaldo’s iconic Siuuu gesture.
While fan protests added tension before kick-off, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag emphasized that it’s premature to draw comparisons between Garnacho and club legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, despite the Argentine’s wonder goal against Everton on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag: “If you want to be a player like Rooney, Ronaldo, you have to score 20, 25 goals in the Premier League.”
”It’s not easy, you have to work very hard. There is still a lot to do, but he Garnacho has potential.”
“Probably goal of the season. Also the build-up, not just the finish, was very good. The finish is fantastic.”
“Our three offensive players scored. That’s what we need. It will help us as a team.”
Alejandro Garnacho on his goal: “I can’t believe it to be honest. I said: oh my God!”.
“I didn’t see how I scored, I just listened to the crowd… it’s still November, but probably one of goals of the season”, told Sky Sports.
Amidst another inconsistent performance by United, a moment of brilliance shone through as Marcus Rashford’s penalty and Anthony Martial’s composed strike secured a 3-0 victory, marking their fifth win in the last six league games under ten Hag.
This triumph propels United to sixth place in the table, just six points behind league leaders Arsenal, a commendable feat in the face of a challenging season.
Facing a tense atmosphere fueled by Everton supporters expressing their discontent over the severe sporting sanction imposed on the club, United managed to capitalize on their chances.
Sean Dyche’s team, seemingly pulling clear of relegation troubles with recent good form, now finds itself off the bottom only on goal difference and five points away from safety.
Despite Everton’s series of missed opportunities following Garnacho’s early goal, the turning point came when referee John Brooks, initially booking Martial for diving, reversed his decision after VAR intervention.
Rashford converted the penalty with authority, securing his first club goal since September 3.
Making a rare start in the absence of the injured Rasmus Hojlund, Martial sealed United’s most substantial league win of the season with a composed finish from Bruno Fernandes’ well-placed through ball, 15 minutes from full time.
