Alejandro Garnacho’s importance to Manchester United’s run-in

Manchester United took another massive step toward securing a place in next season’s Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers today.

Anthony Martial opened the scoring after half an hour before Alejandro Garnacho ensured the three points with a typical late goal that came four minutes into stoppage time.

The Argentine wonderkid has scored five goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season despite starting just nine times, with each strike coming over the last two months.

However, his contributions have bailed Erik ten Hag’s side out at times, with four of the Argentine’s last five goals coming in the 85th minute or later.

Garnacho scored three minutes into stoppage time to snatch a late 2-1 victory over Fulham in November before grabbing an 85th-minute goal in the 2-0 win against Leeds United in December.

The 18-year-old also scored a 90th-minute goal to help Man United past West Ham United in the FA Cup fifth round – a tournament where they will face fierce rivals Manchester City in the final.

The youngster may not feature for Ten Hag’s side in the final, having chosen to play for Argentina at the Under-20 World Cup, but he has played his part in getting the Red Devils to the finish line.

His contribution to the success against Wolves epitomises his importance to Ten Hag’s squad, with the Red Devils consolidating their spot in the Premier League top four.

Ten Hag has shown an affinity to allowing youngsters a chance to earn a place in the first-team squad, and Garnacho has grabbed his opportunity by the scruff of the neck.

He has established himself as a decisive and reliable outlet at a young age, and Man United’s decision to tie him to a long-term contract could prove a masterstroke in the future.

Garnacho is best suited to a left-wing role but is currently not a guaranteed first-team starter, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho ahead in the pecking order.

However, the youngster could not have hoped for a better debut campaign with the first-team squad, having come up through the club’s youth ranks earlier this season.