Ex-Arsenal star Theo Walcott has paid tribute to Alejandro Garnacho after the Manchester United star played a key role in his team’s win over Liverpool at the weekend.

The 19-year-old’s run and pass set up Amad Diallo’s winner in extra-time, but he had also been involved in the build-up to Scott McTominay’s opener. Speaking as someone who knows a thing or two about being a winger, Walcott said:

“The thing about Garnacho I always like, he always gets into spaces where it’s hard to pick him up. He makes runs off the ball, but not just that, it’s his end product as well. There’s this passion that he shows. He’s always available for the ball. And what I like about him, he’s always positive. Every time he gets the ball. It’s a generation of inverted wingers, but he likes to go on the outside, which I really enjoy. And he’s always leaving the full-back guessing…”

“This is where in the 120th minute now, where he can still do it. And not just that, he seems to be faster and faster with the ball. The pass, he delays it, delays it. And of course, Amad with a fantastic finish towards the end. I feel like he’s got the veins of a Manchester United player. He’s a beautiful player to see.”

United have a generational talent on their hands

People can be too quick to hail a young player as the next big thing but Garnacho not only has the ability, he is clearly not overawed by the pressure of playing for a team as big as Manchester United.

Manager Erik ten Hag has thrown in him at the deep end and the teenager has taken his chance and ran with it. No matter whether you play him on the right or left wing, he has shown that he can deliver the goods.

From what we have seen, Garnacho could be a firm fixture in United’s starting lineup for the next decade or more.