Garnacho has ‘X-factor’ to become world-class Manchester United star, claims Ten Hag | Manchester United

Erik ten Hag believes Alejandro Garnacho still has a “long way” to go to become a world-class player, but he is adamant the Manchester United forward has the “X-factor” to achieve this status.

Garnacho is one of three United players, alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, who have been pegged by Ten Hag as unsaleable this summer given their importance to the club’s future. The 20-year-old scored 10 goals in all competitions last season as he established himself in the first team, but his manager says he still has work to do to become great in the game.

“You go very quickly (so to speak) – world-class player: he has a long way to go,” Ten Hag said. “He has a lot of potential, he showed last season that he can contribute and be a starter. To make the leap and become a world-class player, you have to work very hard. That has brought him to where he is now and that will take him to that world-class player, I agree he has the potential.

“Every club at the top needs players with the X-factor. We’ve seen on occasion that he’s shown the X-factor, so if you want to be that player that people say is world class, you have to be consistent. He’s got that ability.”

Mainoo ended England’s Euro 2024 campaign as first-choice in Gareth Southgate’s team, starting the 2-1 final against Spain and also starring in the semi-final against the Netherlands. Ten Hag believes this has accentuated his development.

“He has had such good experiences and they will help him to become a better player, 100%,” said the Dutchman. “Where do I see him? The perfect midfielder is someone who can attack very well, defend very well. As a player he can do that. He can play as an attacking midfielder and also as a controlling midfielder.

“We have to look from situation to situation and from opportunity to opportunity, who is available, the opponents, where we can hurt the opponent or take some strength from the opponent, where we use the players.”