Erik ten Hag says he wants to see Alejandro Garnacho replicate his excellent performance in Manchester United's Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace on a more consistent basis after assessing his early season displays as "not good enough".
Having secured a much-needed Premier League victory at Burnley on Saturday evening, the Red Devils ran out comfortable 3-0 victors against Roy Hodgson’s south Londoners on Tuesday night.
Garnacho, 19, put the League Cup holders ahead at Old Trafford, slotting home Diogo Dalot’s cutback on 21 minutes. Casemiro scored and then crossed for Anthony Martial’s goal to assure United's place in the fourth round.
Argentina international Garnacho began United’s first two matches of the season, but this was the first time he was named in the starting line-up since the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur five weeks ago.
“You have seen at the start of the season we played him and then his contribution was not good enough,” said United manager Ten Hag.
“But he also had some good actions. You see always he is a threat in the game even when he is not playing that well.
“He has to learn when he does his job in defending he will always have his moment and he will always be decisive because he has great qualities.
“As well, it’s not only off the ball. But I want to see like today, he is entering the box in the right spot to finish.
“But I think it is quite normal for a player of his age that there is space for a lot of improvement.
“Everyone likes him, the fans like him, the team likes him, I like him but we also have to demand from him and push him because he can act on a very high level but he has to show it every day.”
Man United ratings v Palace
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Continued his run of playing every game and enjoyed his second consecutive clean sheet, which he needed after conceding threes and fours. Had little to do before a save with his left leg from Mateta on 67 and again from the same player with his chest on 84. Getty -
First start for United for the on-loan Moroccan, he played out of his usual position as a left back. Was cheered after a defensive block stopped an early Palace cross. Physically strong and regularly moved into midfield. Decent start. Getty -
Captain and working his way back to full match fitness. By the time he went off after an hour, Palace hadn’t managed a single shot and only had two touches in the United area. PA -
First start of the season for the former captain and he read danger from an early Palace attack well. Not his busiest game but defended well when called on. Intercepted and well positioned. Only Casemiro had more touches. PA -
Brilliant setting up the first, pulling the ball back for Garnacho. Pushed inside to lend his support not just to midfield, but also attack. Full of energy and intent. Getty -
United’s top scorer made it 2-0 for the cup holders on 26, heading in a Mount corner. Played several line-splitting passes and set up United’s third for Martial. Pressed well, intercepted, passed well. Man of the match. Getty -
Industrious as he tried to push forward, but booked for a cynical challenge on 28. Had to be careful that he didn’t get another yellow. AP -
Back after injury and near early combination with Casemiro, who he then set up for the second from a corner. Creative. Off at half time. AP -
Injuries and absences meant another start and he was heavily involved. He’s getting the minutes he’d been starved off. Ran at players and showed his skill, without much end product. PA -
Fouled in a yellow card challenge in the first half, scored United’s third for his first goal of the season in the second, a super left foot finish from a Casemiro assist after cleverly staying onside then getting behind Clyne. Encouraging. Getty -
Back in the team in one of seven changes since the Burnley win and he put his side ahead after 21, steering a Dalot assist past Johnstone. Lively all night, with a well struck shot on target on 88. Getty -
SUBS: Lindelof (Mount, HT). Attacked like Dalot did in the first half. Clean strike towards goal on 88. Reuters -
Evans (Varane, 60'). Found space to head on target after 70 as the Stretford End sang his name. Reuters -
Gore (Amrabat, 60'). Debut in United’s senior team. Straight into the centre of midfield for the young Mancunian. Applauded by his manager for winning the ball back. Getty -
Van de Beek (Hannibal, 69'). First performance of the season and encouraged by Casemiro to play as far forward as possible. PA -
Hojlund (Martial, 74'). Bustled but not much impact. Getty
United made seven alterations, as did Palace, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League reunion at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag will hope Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay can return from what the United boss called illness, so too left-back Sergio Reguilon.
The on-loan Tottenham full-back’s absence meant Sofyan Amrabat filled in there on his first start for the club, before stepping into midfield at half time.
“Sofyan is a player, and that was one of the reasons we signed him, where the team needs him, he will play and he can play in more positions,” Ten Hag said.
As for Palace, Roy Hodgson had no arguments with the result.
“I thought we were well beaten, basically,” said the Eagles boss, who saw Dean Henderson go off injured on his debut at former club United.
“I thought they attacked better than we did, defended the few attacks we were able to mount quite comfortably.
“As a result, unfortunately, you tend when that happens to only be looking at one possible result and that was the result they came up with.”
