Louis Saha has urged Alejandro Garnacho to follow the example of Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo if he is to make the most of his enormous potential.
The 18-year-old followed his pair of assists off the bench against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Thursday with another dazzling cameo – and late winner – against Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Garnacho, who was born in Spain but has opted to represent Argentina, showed a blistering turn of pace to latch onto Christian Eriksen’s through-ball in stoppage time before calmly slotting the ball past Bernd Leno.
The strike secured a 2-1 victory and three massive points, meaning United are just three points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham – with a game in hand – going into the World Cup break.
Following his brilliant late impact, Gary Neville likened Garnacho to a young Ronaldo, who netted a very similar goal at Craven Cottage 15 years ago.
While Saha was also full of praise for the teenager’s display, he has urged him not to get carried away and to use Ronaldo as a role model otherwise he risks becoming another Federico Macheda or Adnan Januzaj.
Asked if it is a risk that Garnacho could just as easily be another Macheda or Januzaj, Saha told Sky Sports: ‘Yeah it happens, that’s why he needs to actually keep working hard.
‘The best example is Cristiano Ronaldo, you see his work rate, his ambition. He had as well this arrogance, or this confidence, and if you have this balance you will go far.’
United boss Erik ten Hag has been keen not to go overboard with his praise of Garnacho in recent weeks, but even he was left purring after the Argentine’s brilliant late impact in west London.
Asked about the youngster’s goal, he told BBC Sport: ‘Fantastic. First he shows the mentality you need.
‘Under stress he’s performing, he’s coming in, he has an impact, he has the belief.
‘Twice in three, four days, so that is really good. I’m really happy that we can bring a young player up and it shows that when players deserve it they get their chances. That is the first one but we have to bring more.
‘He’s great. I like that he has a big belief and that’s great to work with. He likes football. He’s a real pleasure.’
MORE : Alejandro Garnacho reminded Gary Neville of Cristiano Ronaldo with stunning goal at Fulham
MORE : Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag explains decision to play Tyrell Malacia at right-back vs Fulham
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