Manchester United fans were hoping to see the team put its worst season in decades behind them on the first day of the 2022/23 Premier League season, but defeat against Brighton left them feeling as if nothing had changed.
Although Erik ten Hag’s arrival promised a new era, the same problems arose on that occasion, as Pascal Gross’ first-half double startled Old Trafford, erasing optimism for the season.
Brighton held off a late attack to win 2-1, and the new manager’s bubble had burst. “It’s a hell of a job,” Ten Hag admitted candidly about the magnitude of the task ahead of his post-match interview.
That first day felt catastrophic at the time, but with retrospect, it was always going to happen. The squad was in its infancy, and the starting lineup on the final day of the season would be drastically different.
Christian Eriksen played as a false nine alongside Jadon Sancho on the right wing, while Harry Maguire, Fred, and Scott McTominay started the game. That’s not even taking into account Brighton’s following third-place finish in club history.
Cristiano Ronaldo came on to replace Fred immediately after halftime, but with the exception of that substitute, Ten Hag waited until the 90th minute to make any other changes, evidently hoping his team would find an equalizer.
Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Elanga, and Tyrell Malacia came on but were unable to help. It was a sad afternoon, and the beginning of a string of disappointing weeks for Garnacho.
After the Brentord catastrophe, United improved, but it was still a terrible time for Garnacho on an individual level, as he didn’t play in the league again until November 6 against Aston Villa.
Garnacho had been missing from the matchday squad for a few league games during that time, and had instead played for the Under-21s in the formerly titled Papa John’s Trophy, a long cry from the Premier League.
His attitude was the basis for his demotion. Garnacho was also the only outfielder who did not play a single minute on the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, and his performance in training was hurting his prospects.
Ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes both admitted before Garnacho’s return to the league that his attitude had let him down on that tour. The manager was unimpressed, and Fernandes stated that ‘he was not at his best’ and that ‘he knows we expect a lot from him’.
Garnacho clawed his way back into contention by improving his attitude and impressing in the Carabao Cup and Europa League, providing him with the platform to entrench himself as a valuable member of the first-team squad beyond the World Cup.
The kid concluded the season with five goals and five assists, which was a strong performance for his first senior season, especially given that he would have spent the year with the U21s under normal circumstances.
It was the one-year anniversary of last season’s opening setback against Brighton earlier this week, and Garnacho is hoping to start the first match of the 23/24 season instead of making a cameo.
The speed with which he has advanced has astounded academy coaches. Garnacho has thrived in the first-team surroundings at Carrington, and the majority of fans expect him to start on the left against Wolves on Monday night.
With Rasmus Hojlund now out with a minor back injury, Marcus Rashford is expected to start in the center, leaving Garnacho and Jadon Sancho as the most appealing candidates to start on the left wing.
Although both players had good pre-seasons, Sancho has been playing in center roles this summer, and the logical choice would be to start Garnacho, who surpassed the former Borussia Dortmund star in the pecking order last season.
Garnacho is everything that Sancho isn’t right now; he’s quick, direct, and a menace to the opposition. His progression has been fascinating to watch over the previous year, and starting on the first day of the season would be a watershed moment.
Wolves will play deep at Old Trafford, and Garnacho’s directness could be crucial in breaking down their defense.
