Erik ten Hag: It’s too soon to compare Alejandro Garnacho to Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Alejandro Garnacho’s incredible goal against Everton in the Premier League had the Argentinean winger compared to Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was quick to downplay the comparisons.
Garnacho’s incredible overhead kick against Everton on November 26 instantly brought to mind Wayne Rooney’s famous 2011 goal. In the encounter at Goodison Park, Garnacho performed a spectacular bicycle kick that launched the ball past Jordan Pickford, the Everton goalkeeper, and into the upper corner of the net.
This incredible goal, which came in the game’s third minute, put Manchester United on track to win 3-0.Not only was the goal crucial to the outcome of the game, but it also struck a chord with supporters and analysts because it resembled Rooney’s iconic overhead kick against Manchester City at Old Trafford more than ten years prior.
The acrobatic quality of both goals, as well as the audacity of trying such a strike in a Premier League match with significant stakes, defined them.
Ten Hag told reporters, “The season, still many games to play, but probably already the goal of the season,” as cited by Reuters. “It was incredible.”
But Ten Hag was quick to refute any comparisons between Garnacho and players like Ronaldo and Rooney.
Garnacho’s potential was lauded by the Dutch tactician, who hinted that he could become one of the world’s best players. However, he cautioned that Garnacho needs to perform consistently at the highest level in order to become as great as players like Ronaldo and Rooney.
“Don’t compare,” remarked the manager, who was not present on the touchline due to a one-game suspension on Sunday.
“It doesn’t seem right to me. They’re all unique individuals, but Garnacho needs to put in a lot of effort if he wants to follow that path. It also needs to be done consistently. And he isn’t yet.
Yet he undoubtedly possesses a great deal of potential for incredible things. This is not something we have seen before. However, it’s difficult to score 20, 25 goals in the Premier League if you want to be a player like Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney. But he does have potential.”
