Ten Hag admits Man Utd star has not been good enough this season

After a convincing Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace, Erik ten Hag gave one Manchester United player a reality check.

Erik ten Hag has urged Alejandro Garnacho to contribute more to Manchester United following the 19-year-old’s performance against Crystal Palace.

On Tuesday, United made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season by thrashing Palace 3-0 in a Carabao Cup third-round contest.

Garnacho, who broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, got a warning from Ten Hag. The winger was reminded of his need to contribute more regularly, having not done enough earlier in the campaign.

“You have seen at the start of the season we played him and then his contribution was not good enough. But he also had some good actions,” Ten Hag said of Garnacho after the match.

“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.”

Despite the goal, Garnacho has recorded just one goal and no assists in six appearances across all competitions this season. Ten Hag has started him in only three games.

“Everyone likes him, the fans like him, the team likes him, I like him,” the manager added.

“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.”

Casemiro and Anthony Martial scored the other two goals on Tuesday to seal United a fourth-round spot in the Carabao Cup.

As for Garnacho, the Argentine will hope to prove he can step up to the mantle when Ten Hag’s side face Crystal Palace again on Saturday, this time in the Premier League.