Former manager recently raved about midfielder James Garner, telling one of his closest aides that ‘he’s a player’.
Garner earned promotion to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest on Sunday and he played a key part in the only goal of the came when his dangerous cross was converted by Huddersfield defender Levi Colwill.
The midfielder’s earned plaudits for his performances for Forest this season and he started in all but six of their league matches this term, as well as their run to the quarter-finals.
The 21-year-old is now set to be given the chance to impress Erik ten Hag during and he could be given a first team spot if he makes an impression on the Dutchman, particularly given United’s problems in midfield.
But Ten Hag wouldn’t be the first United manager to be impressed by Garner, who first made his debut under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019 as an 18-year-old.
The Norwegian spoke passionately about Garner’s potential but he didn’t remain at the club long enough to see it materialise, while he was away on loan when Ralf Rangnick took charge.
But it was under Jose Mourinho that Garner first started training with the first team and though he was too young to make an impact during the Roma boss’ time at Old Trafford, he’s clearly left a lasting impression.
According to the MEN, Mourinho recently told a close friend that Garner ‘is a player’.
At 21, United may allow Garner to stay on loan at Nottingham Forest for another season to allow him to get Premier League experience.
But the hope is that within time he will become a regular at Old Trafford.
