The victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night, which Alejandro Garnacho scored the only goal in, is not likely to be an event that he ever forgets.
The young player for Manchester United, who had just one week earlier impressed the Old Trafford faithful in a match against Sheriff Tiraspol, scored the game-winning goal in just his second start for the club to help the Reds extend their winning streak to three matches. The 18-year-old Argentine was making just his seventh appearance in his senior career when he grabbed an excellent pass from Cristiano Ronaldo and finished like a veteran striker. This was the Argentine's seventh appearance in his senior career.Even though his well-taken goal was not enough to propel United to the top of Group E and secure an automatic route to the last 16 of the Europa League, it was probably enough to raise his position in the pecking order in terms of the numerous options that the Reds have available to them. As a result of illness and injury, manager Erik ten Hag was unable to bring three of his best attacking players with him to Spain. Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, and Antony were all required to remain in the United Kingdom.
Using his signature 4-3-3 formation, Ten Hag could have still chosen between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga. However, given Garnacho's performance against Sheriff a week earlier, it was always likely that Garnacho would get the nod once again on the left side. Rashford and Elanga were both given spots on the substitutes' bench, and Bruno Fernandes was given instructions to play on the right wing.
Although Fernandes' position change made it possible for Donny van de Beek to come into the side and get some valuable minutes under his belt, he never once appeared as dangerous as he does when he is playing in the middle of the field. It was a decision that didn't work out, so Ten Hag probably would have been better off picking one of the two natural wide players he had named on the bench rather than making that mistake.
Ten Hag has confirmed that he made the decision to start Marcus Rashford on the bench as a precautionary measure. He cited the recent volume of games and the fact that the England international had been sidelined with an injury not all that long ago as reasons for making this decision. But the fact that he passed over Elanga just four days after handing him one of his few opportunities to start in the Premier League was telling.
The Swede, who was one of the very few bright spots for United in the previous campaign, found it difficult to assert himself against the Hammers and was eventually taken out of the game just past the hour mark. Scott McTominay came on in his place. His absence against Sociedad, a game that United needed to win by two clear goals to top the group, was significant, particularly because Antony, Sancho, and Martial, all of whom are capable of playing out wide, were unavailable. Despite how poorly he played against David Moyes' side, his absence against Sociedad was significant. In San Sebastian, as the clock approached the 90-minute mark and United still needed another goal to win the group, Ten Hag ignored Elanga and instead chose Harry Maguire to support the attackers. This was done despite the fact that United still needed another goal to win the group. The fact that the Swede has not scored a goal since February, on the other hand, makes it easy to comprehend why the Dutchman did not consider him as the clock wound down.
Elanga, taking into account the fact that United decided to expand their pool of available players by signing Antony in the summer, would have most likely anticipated that the majority of his opportunities for this season would come in the Europa League. On the other hand, he only appeared in two of their six group matches, starting one of them.
In comparison, garnacho appeared in four of them and was given a starting position twice. It is reasonable to state that he drew more attention to himself in just those two starts alone than Elanga has throughout the entirety of the season.
Therefore, once United receive Sancho, Antony, and Martial back, it will mean that their pool of attacking options will have a more finished look to it. As a result, Garnacho may find himself ahead of Elanga in the pecking order once this occurs. In the event that this proves to be the case, United may be forced to investigate the possibility of loaning out the 20-year-old player during the month of January in order to keep him motivated and fresh.
After the victory over West Ham, Ten Hag waxed poetic about Elanga's potential and the possibility of him having a bright future at Old Trafford in the years to come. Ten Hag's comments came after the game. However, for the time being, a loan move may be the best option for him to keep his rhythm flowing. This is especially true in light of how well he performed last season while Ralf Rangnick was his coach.
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